Inside The Mustangs

SMU OL named to Rimington trophy watch list

The Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football, has announced its prestigious watch list for 2024

Ali Jawad

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
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SMU's veteran offensive lineman Justin Osborne has earned a spot on the prestigious Rimington Trophy watch list, a testament to his exceptional performance and potential as one of the nation's top centers.

The Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the most exceptional center in NCAA Division I College Football, has unveiled its prestigious watch list for this year.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the trophy committee partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) to leverage data-driven insights for the selection process. PFF's meticulous grading system, evaluating every player's execution on every play of every game, empowered the committee to craft a watch list that seamlessly blends nominations with objective performance metrics.

Among the distinguished nominees stands Justin Osborne, a stalwart presence on the SMU Mustangs offensive line. Hailing from Flower Mound, Osborne has been an indispensable asset, starting an impressive 42 games throughout his four-year tenure.

A two-time all-conference honoree, Osborne's contributions in 2023 were pivotal in propelling the Mustangs' offensive line to a top-20 national ranking in scoring offense, sacks allowed, and total offense.

Osborne's stellar performance last season garnered him widespread acclaim, culminating in a first-team All-AAC selection and a coveted spot on the Dave Campbell's Texas Football (DCTF) All-Texas First Team.

The accolades have continued into the preseason, with Osborne earning recognition on the Outland Trophy watch list, DCTF All-Texas First Team, Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC First Team, and Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Second Team.

The Rimington Trophy watch list showcases a remarkable depth of talent, with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) leading the pack with 10 and nine athletes respectively.

Named in honor of Dave Rimington, a legendary two-time John Outland Trophy winner and consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska, the Rimington Trophy upholds a tradition of excellence.

The selection process involves a meticulous evaluation of the Walter Camp Foundation (WCF), Sporting News (SN), and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America teams.

The committee's discerning approach ensures that all players primarily playing the center position are considered, even if their listing on All-America teams may differ. The ultimate winner is determined through a combination of first-team votes, second-team votes, and, if necessary, a decisive vote by the esteemed Rimington Trophy Committee.

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Ali Jawad
ALI JAWAD

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