CFB Preseason Watchlists: 5 local players named to Paul Hornung Award, Wuerffel Trophy watchlists

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SALT LAKE CITY — For the last decade, the National College Football Awards Association has unveiled preseason watchlists for 16 of the 25 awards the association endows. The release of these watchlists take place over a two-week period in July.

Each year, Utah's three Football Bowl Subdivision schools feature athletes on these various watchlists; below you'll see where your favorite players are being recognized. This article will be updated daily as the preseason watchlists are released.

The schedule for the preseason watchlists is as follows:

July 19: Bednarik Award, Maxwell Award
July 20: Davey O'Brien Award
July 21: Doak Walker Award
July 22: Biletnikoff Award
July 23: John Mackay Award, Rimington Trophy
July 26: Butkus Award, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
July 27: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy
July 28: Lou Groza Award, Ray Guy Award
July 29: Paul Horning Award, Wuerffel Trophy
July 30: Walter Camp Award

Thursday, 09:52 am

Utah's Britain Covey, BYU's Tyler Allgeier named to the Paul Hornung Award watchlist

In an award given to the "most versatile player" in college football, it's hard to leave a player like Utah's Britain Covey off the list. The committee that hosts the Paul Hornung Award got the memo.The "Swiss Army knife" of the program, Covey has been the leading receiver on the team in the three years he's started for the program. He's often a bigger threat in the punt return game where he's taken a couple back for a touchdown in his career.Covey enters the 2021 season as a junior with 1,497 career receiving yards and 201 career rushing yards, while adding 665 career yards on punt returns and 478 career yards on kickoff returns.Covey recently told reporters at the Pac-12 media day that the 2021 season would "likely" be his last at Utah, though his future in football remains unknown. Covey has long talked about his desire to be a coach once his playing career is over.BYU running back Tyler Allgeier adds the Paul Hornung Award to several other watchlists he's been added to this year after a strong 2020 campaign where he rushed for 1,130 yards to help BYU to an 11-1 season.Allgeier has received a lot of national attention as one of the best returning running backs in the country, and was named a Phil Steele preseason All-American, among other national preseason awards.The Paul Hornung Award preseason watchlist recognized 57 players from around the country in its 12th season in existence.— Josh Furlong, KSL.com

Thursday, 09:36 am

BYU, Utah and Utah State each earn Wuerffel Trophy preseason honors

Three players from the Beehive State — BYU offensive lineman James Empey, Utah defensive end Mika Tafua and Utah State running back Calvin Tyler Jr. — were named to the Wuerffel Trophy preseason watchlist Thursday morning.The honor, which is considered college football's "premier award for community service," recognized 93 players.Empey, who has been named to other preseason watchlists this year, is a regular volunteer in the Provo community and helped organize BYU's involvement in a program called My Tiny Hero, which helps raise awareness for congenital diaphragmatic hernia.Tafua enters the 2021 season as a junior and is expected to disrupt opposing offenses on the edge as one of Utah's starters on the line. But off the field, Tafua is involved with the community to help others.Utah State's Tyler, who is in his first year with the Aggies after transferring from Oregon State, is a member of the team's athletic diversity and inclusion committee and is involved in the local community.— Josh Furlong, KSL.com

Thursday, 07:53 am

Gunner Romney marks BYU's second straight appearance on Biletnikoff Award watchlist

PROVO — Gunner Romney's breakout junior season earned him national attention ahead of the 2021 season.The 6-foot-3, 195-pound BYU wide receiver from Chandler, Arizona, was named to the Biletnikoff Award preseason watch list Thursday, which recognizes the top pass-catcher in college football among receivers, tight ends, slot backs and running back.Romney ranked No. 15 nationally in 2020 with a team-high 19.7 yards per catch, including four games topping the 100-yard receiving mark as BYU finished 11-1 and ranked in the top-15 in every major national poll.In 32 games with the Cougars, Romney has 1,306 yards and six touchdowns on 83 catches.It's the second straight year that BYU has placed a wide out on the Biletnikoff radar, which is named for former Florida State receiver and pro and college football Hall of Famer Fred Biletnikoff. Former BYU receiver Dax Milne, who was a seventh-round pick by the Washington Football Team, was a semifinalist for the honor in 2020 en route to All-American honors.Below is the complete watchlist for the award. Other receivers and pass-catchers may be added as the season progresses:

Jordan Addison, Pitt

Calvin Austin III, Memphis

David Bell, Purdue

Ronnie Bell, Michigan

Max Borghi, Washington State

Kayshon Boutte, LSU

Treylon Burks, Arkansas

Elijah Cooks, Nevada

Jacob Cowing, UTEP

Dontay Demus Jr., Maryland

Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Romeo Doubs, Nevada

Emeka Emezie, NC State

Erik Ezukanma, Texas Tech

Zay Flowers, Boston College

Zakhari Franklin, UTSA

Ty Fryfogle, Indiana

Kaylon Geiger, Texas Tech

Justin Hall, Ball State

Mike Harley, Miami

Taj Harris, Syracuse

Jaivon Heiligh, Coastal Carolina

Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State

Johnny Johnson III, Oregon

Billy Kemp IV, Virginia

Charlie Kolar, Iowa State

Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina

Drake London, USC

Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

Bo Melton, Rutgers

John Metchie III, Alabama

Marvin Mims, Oklahoma

Chris Olave, Ohio State

Sam Pinckney, Georgia State

Rashee Rice, SMU

Jaquarii Roberson, Wake Forest

Reggie Roberson Jr., SMU

Jaylon Robinson, UCF

Gunner Romney, BYU

Justyn Ross, Clemson

Bradley Rozner, Rice

Khalil Shakir, Boise State

Keylon Stokes, Tulsa

Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama

Cole Turner, Nevada

Jaden Walley, Mississippi State

Tahj Washington, USC

Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Michael Wilson, Stanford

Mike Woods, Oklahoma

Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M

— Sean Walker, KSL.com

Wednesday, 09:53 am

BYU's Jake Oldroyd, Utah's Jadon Redding named to Lou Groza Award watchlist

After nearly two weeks of college football award watchlists being released, it's finally time for the kickers to get some love. And on Wednesday, that love went to BYU's Jake Oldroyd and Utah's Jadon Redding.The pair were named to the Lou Groza Award preseason watchlist, which is awarded to the best place-kicker in the nation, and were among 30 other athletes named to the honor.Oldroyd returns to the list after being named a finalist for the award last season during BYU's 11-1 season. Alabama's Will Reichard joins Oldroyd as two returning finalist from last season.The junior from Southlake, Texas, was 100% in his 13 made field goals and 60-of-62 in his extra-point attempts last season. Oldroyd made a 54-yard kick last season, which is second best among the 30 kickers named to the watchlist.Redding enters the preseason honor with a perfect mark in both field goals made (eight) and extra points (17) from last season. Redding has yet to miss an extra-point attempt in his career out of 73 attempts.The junior from Fredericksburg, Virginia, has a career kicking record of 18-for-21, with his longest made field goal being from 44 yards out.— Josh Furlong, KSL.com

Wednesday, 08:54 am

BYU's Tyler Allgeier makes cut for Doak Walker Award watch list

The veteran of BYU's offense from the 2020 season was recognized again Wednesday morning.Sophomore running back Tyler Allgeier was named to the 2021 Doak Walker Award watchlist, which recognizes the top running back in college football.A native of Fontana, California, Allgeier exploded on the scene a year ago, amassing 1,130 yards for No. 8 nationally in 2020.Allgeier was a Phil Stelle preseason All-American, recognized by the annual college football preseason magazine as the eighth-best draft-eligible running back this season. On Wednesday, he was also named to the Pro Football Focus preseason Doak Walker Award watchlist, one of just 19 running backs to receive the honor.The award will be narrowed down to 10 semifinalists by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum Board of Directors in November, with the award being presented in December at ESPN's annual college football awards show.Former BYU running back Luke Staley won the Doak Walker Award in 2001 after amassing 1,582 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. The award is named for SMU's three-time All-American running back Doak Walker.— Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 10:13 am

Utah's Lloyd, BYU's Wilgar add Nagurski watchlist honor

Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd added another honor to his preseason resume Tuesday after he was selected as one of 90 players from 61 schools to the Bronco Nagurski Trophy watchlist, given annually to the best defensive player in college football.Lloyd joined BYU linebacker Payton Wilgar on the list a day after the two pass rushers were named to the Butkus Award watchlist.A first-team All-Pac 12 selection in 2020, Lloyd has started in 19 straight games for the Utes and amassed 48 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in five games during a truncated 2020 season.Wilgar helped BYU to a standout 11-1 season and No. 11 national ranking with 57 tackles, five tackles for loss, four pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2020. The Dixie High product also recorded three interceptions during the 2019 season.The Football Writers Association of America will announced five finalists for the award Nov. 17 prior to delivering the final trophy after the season.— Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 10:09 am

Empey tabbed to Outland Trophy watchlist for top interior lineman

BYU center James Empey was one of 80 returning players picked to the preseason watchlist for the Outland Trophy, given annually to the country's top interior lineman. The selection marks back-to-back seasons on the Outland Trophy watchlist for Empey.Empey is the only Outland Trophy watchlist selection from a Utah college, and one of just four from independent schools.The American Fork product was a team captain during BYU's remarkable 11-1 season and No. 11 final ranking in 2020, anchoring an offensive line that paved the way for the No. 4-ranked scoring offense in the country and No. 1 in explosive plays of 30 yards or more.BYU's offensive line was a Joe Moore Award semifinalist in 2020, an award given to the best offensive line in college football as a collective, while ranking No. 8 in sacks allowed with 12 in 12 games.Empey also earned preseason All-American honors from Phil Steele and Athlon Sports as a fourth-team center.— Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 09:13 am

Utah's Charlie Brewer named to Davey O'Brien Award watchlist

In back-to-back days, Utah quarterback Charlie Brewer has been named to another preseason watchlist: the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award.Brewer has yet to be named the starter for the Utes, but he's piling up preseason honors. But Utah fans will remember that last season Jake Bentley was named to preseason watchlists and was the perceived starter by many national outlets before Cam Rising was named the team's starter.This time around, however, Brewer is a more proven quarterback and had a full spring and summer to work with the team. The battle between Brewer and Rising will be one to watch.Brewer is one of 30 returning quarterbacks named to the honor and is one of four named from the Pac-12. Others from the conference are Jayden Daniels (Arizona State), Kedon Slovis (USC) and Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA).— Josh Furlong, KSL.com

Monday, 08:35 am

Utah's Devin Lloyd and BYU's Payton Wilgar named to Butkus Award watchlist

Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd returned to a familiar college football award Monday morning. The star linebacker for the Utes was named to the Butkus Award preseason watchlist where he was a finalist last season after playing in only five games.Lloyd has started in 19 games since he was thrown into a starter role in 2019 and is a two-time All-Pac-12 member, with first-team honors in 2020.Last season, Lloyd recorded 48 total tackles, including 10 for loss, and two sacks and a forced fumble in only five games. As a result, his NFL draft stock has only increased in the last two seasons and he's expected to pursue an NFL career after his junior season.Last week, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham told ESPN 700 that he believed Lloyd will be the highest drafted linebacker from Utah when he pursues a professional career.Also named to the preseason honor is BYU's Payton Wilgar, a sophomore linebacker that had a hand in BYU's 11-1 season. His role is expected to grow even more during the 2021 season as the team replaces several athletes that pursued an NFL career.Wilgar recorded 57 total tackles, including five for loss, and four pass breakups and one forced fumble. The Dixie High product recorded three interceptions during the 2019 season.The pair were part of 51 athletes from around the country named to the preseason watchlist.— Josh Furlong, KSL.com

Monday, 08:24 am

Utah's Devin Lloyd, Utah State's Justin Rice named to Bednarik Award watchlist

Defense wins championships, or so the saying goes. And while one player doesn't define a team, they can have a big impact to a season.Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd was named to the Bednarik Award preseason watchlist, which is awarded to the outstanding defensive player in college football, after two seasons as a starter and as the leader of the defense. Lloyd, a junior getting early NFL draft buzz, has 145 total tackles, 21 for a tackle for loss, and 8.5 career sacks.Lloyd comes off a shortened 2020 season where he led the team with 48 total tackles in five games and was a finalist for the Butkus Award. He's also a two-time All-Pac-12 member and was named to the first-team in 2020.Utah State linebacker Justin Rice was also named to the watchlist after transferring from Arkansas State to follow his head coach to Utah State. Rice has yet to take a snap as an Aggie but was previously named to first-team Sun Belt Conference honors for the 2020 season.The senior linebacker had 76 total tackles, including 18.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in 2020.Rice played only one season at Arkansas State and was previously at Fresno State from 2016-19 where he also claimed first-team all-Mountain West honors during his junior season. Rice will be a "super senior" for the Aggies.The Bednarik Award watchlist features 90 defensive players from around the country. The list features two semifinalists, Myjai Sanders (Cincinnati) and Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame, from the 2020 season.— Josh Furlong, KSL.con

Monday, 08:14 am

BYU's Tyler Allgeier, Utah's Charlie Brewer named to Maxwell Award watchlist

Coming off an 11-1 regular season and a top-15 ranking in 2020, BYU returns starting running back Tyler Allgeier, who was named to the preseason Maxwell Award watchlist Monday. The award is given to the college football player of the year.Allgeier's sophomore campaign in 2020 saw him rush for 1,130 yards and 13 touchdowns as BYU became a national sensation and featured the No. 2 draft overall pick in Zach Wilson in the most recent NFL draft.The 5-foot-11, 220-pound back was previously a linebacker and entered the 2020 season as a relative unknown after joining BYU was a walk-on in 2018. But Phil Steele sees Allgeier as the ninth-best draft-eligible running back in the country.BYU's success on offense in 2021 will largely be tied to how well Allgeier will be able to continue his momentum as a dynamic back in the run game.Quarterback Charlie Brewer, who transferred to Utah after four seasons at Baylor, was also named to the preseason honor, though he has yet to be named the starting quarterback for the 2021 season.Brewer got all the first-team reps in spring due to Cameron Rising recovering from a season-ending injury sustained in the first game of the 2020 season. The two will be locked in a battle for the top signal-caller spot in fall.Still, the Maxwell Club believes Brewer is capable of being included in its preseason watchlist. And to Brewer's credit, he's thrown for 9,700 career passing yards and 65 touchdowns while at Baylor. So could he eclipse the 10,000-yard mark with his final season at Utah?Brewer appears to be the favorite to claim the starting job over Rising, but Rising has been in the system longer and has a good grasp of the offense after transferring from Texas. Fans likely won't know who the starter is until Utah opens the season against Weber State on Sept. 2 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.— Josh Furlong, KSL.com

Friday, 12:29 pm

BYU's Empey makes third appearance on Rimington Trophy watchlist

PROVO — James Empey resumed a familiar position Saturday morning.No, not the familiar role he's played anchoring the BYU offensive line at center. The 6-foot-4, 303-pound lineman from American Fork was honored with his third-straight selection to the Rimington Trophy watchlist, which honors the nation's most outstanding center.The 2020 team captain anchored a line that power the Cougars to an 11-1 record and No. 11 ranking in the final Associated Press poll in 2020 with an offense that ranked fourth in scoring, seventh in total offense and eighth in passing offense.Empey is one of two players from independent teams named to the watch list, and the only play from the state of Utah. The Rimington Trophy committee worked with Pro Football Focus this year to narrow its watch list down to the top 40 centers nationally, using the grades developed by PFF on how well each player executes their assignment.Empey was named PFF's top freshman center in the nation in 2018, and received top-four honors at the position from Phil Steele magazine and Athlon Sports entering the 2021 season.— Sean Walker, KSL.com

Friday, 12:23 pm

BYU's Rex, Utah's Fotheringham named to Mackey Award watchlist

PROVO — What's the second act look like for BYU freshman All-American Isaac Rex?The committee that searches annually for the nation's top tight end will be watching.Rex joined Utah junior Cole Fotheringham on the 2021 John Mackey Award preseason watchlist, a year after the son of former BYU standout Byron Rex was named a full-time starter and helped the cougars to an 11-1 record and No. 11 ranking in the final AP poll.Rex tied for first nationally last year with 2020 Mackey Award winner Kyle Pitts of Florida with 12 receiving touchdowns and 72 points scored as a tight end last season for a BYU offense that ranked No. 4 nationally in scoring with 43.5 points per game, No. 7 in total offense (522.2) and No. 8 in passing offense (322.1).Fotheringham, a 6-foot-4 junior from San Clemente, California, has started 28 of his 33 games at Utah, including 20 consecutive starts.The former three-star recruit out of San Clemente High School averaged 13.0 yards per catch on four receptions during the coronavirus-truncated 2020 season last year, giving him 398 receiving yards and three touchdowns in three seasons for the Utes.— Sean Walker, KSL.com

CFB Preseason Watchlists: 5 local players named to Paul Hornung Award, Wuerffel Trophy watchlists

By KSL Sports | Updated - July 29, 2021 at 10:05 a.m. | Posted - July 19, 2021 at 9:28 a.m.

Utah's Britain Covey, BYU's Tyler Allgeier named to the Paul Hornung Award watchlist

BYU, Utah and Utah State each earn Wuerffel Trophy preseason honors

Gunner Romney marks BYU's second straight appearance on Biletnikoff Award watchlist

BYU's Jake Oldroyd, Utah's Jadon Redding named to Lou Groza Award watchlist

BYU's Tyler Allgeier makes cut for Doak Walker Award watch list

Utah's Lloyd, BYU's Wilgar add Nagurski watchlist honor

Empey tabbed to Outland Trophy watchlist for top interior lineman

Utah's Charlie Brewer named to Davey O'Brien Award watchlist

Utah's Devin Lloyd and BYU's Payton Wilgar named to Butkus Award watchlist

Utah's Devin Lloyd, Utah State's Justin Rice named to Bednarik Award watchlist

BYU's Tyler Allgeier, Utah's Charlie Brewer named to Maxwell Award watchlist

BYU's Empey makes third appearance on Rimington Trophy watchlist

BYU's Rex, Utah's Fotheringham named to Mackey Award watchlist

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CFB Preseason Watchlists: 5 local players named to Paul Hornung Award, Wuerffel Trophy watchlists

By KSL Sports | Updated - July 29, 2021 at 10:05 a.m. | Posted - July 19, 2021 at 9:28 a.m.

Utah's Britain Covey, BYU's Tyler Allgeier named to the Paul Hornung Award watchlist

BYU, Utah and Utah State each earn Wuerffel Trophy preseason honors

Gunner Romney marks BYU's second straight appearance on Biletnikoff Award watchlist

BYU's Jake Oldroyd, Utah's Jadon Redding named to Lou Groza Award watchlist

BYU's Tyler Allgeier makes cut for Doak Walker Award watch list

Utah's Lloyd, BYU's Wilgar add Nagurski watchlist honor

Empey tabbed to Outland Trophy watchlist for top interior lineman

Utah's Charlie Brewer named to Davey O'Brien Award watchlist

Utah's Devin Lloyd and BYU's Payton Wilgar named to Butkus Award watchlist

Utah's Devin Lloyd, Utah State's Justin Rice named to Bednarik Award watchlist

BYU's Tyler Allgeier, Utah's Charlie Brewer named to Maxwell Award watchlist

BYU's Empey makes third appearance on Rimington Trophy watchlist

BYU's Rex, Utah's Fotheringham named to Mackey Award watchlist

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