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SALT LAKE CITY - The Utes are just a little over 49 days away from kicking off the 2011 season at home against Montana State. It's never too soon to get excited, and already three University of Utah football players have been added to preseason national award watch lists.
Senior offensive tackle Tony Bergstrom was named to the preseason watch list for the 2011 Outland Trophy, which is presented to the top interior lineman in college football.
Bergstrom has started all 26 games at offensive tackle for the Utes over the past two seasons. The second-team all-Mountain West Conference selection led Utah on the line last year with 584 plays over the 10 games that were graded. He did not allow a single sack in the regular season.
The Outland Trophy, presented annually since 1946, is the third oldest award in major college football. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 21 while the winner will be declared on Jan. 12.
Junior wide receiver DeVonte Christopher has been named to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the nation's outstanding college football receiver.
Christopher, an honorable mention all-Mountain West Conference receiver last year, led Utah in receiving yards (660), yards per game (55.0), and touchdown catches (6) while ranking second in receptions (39). He was fourth in the conference in receiving yards per game and 10th in receptions per game (3.25).
And last but certainly not least, senior linebacker Chaz Walker has been selected to the watch list for the 2011 Rotary Lombardi Award, presented annually to the nation's best college lineman or linebacker.
Walker was a second-team all-Mountain West Conference selection last season, leading Utah and finishing second in the MWC in total tackles (113).
