Spencer named to Outland Trophy watch list

DALLAS –Texas Tech super senior transfer offensive lineman Cole Spencer was named to the 2022 Outland Trophy preseason watch list, the Football Writers Association of America announced on Tuesday morning. The annual award is presented to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman, from either the offensive or defensive side of the ball.

Spencer is one of 89 recognized by the FWAA on Tuesday. The group includes offensive tackles, guards and centers, as well as defensive tackles, who are eligible for consideration. Candidates may be added or removed during the season.

Spencer joined the Red Raiders from Western Kentucky where he was a first-team All-Conference USA offensive lineman in 2021. He arrived in Lubbock in June for his final season of eligibility, which reunited him with his former position coach Texas Tech offensive line coach. Stephen Hamby and his former coordinator in Zach Kittley.

In addition to All-CUSA first-team honors this past season, Spencer graded out at 90.7, per Pro Football Focus, en route to garnering first-team All-CUSA accolades by the website for a third-consecutive season. He was also an honorable mention All-CUSA pick by the conference coaches after the 2020 season.

The Big 12 held 10 honorees in today’s announcement. Overall, there were 29 offensive tackles on this year’s list, just ahead of 25 defensive tackles to go with 18 centers and 17 guards. Just over half of the 131 Football Bowl Subdivision schools – 67 – are represented on the list.

To view the complete 2022 Outland Trophy preseason watch list, visit www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news.

About the Outland Trophy/NCFAA

The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.

The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner.


The recipient of the 2022 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Thurs., Dec. 8. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 11, 2023.

The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 800 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.



About the FWAA
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.