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PROVO, Utah -- The Football Writers Association of America has named junior offensive lineman Jake Kuresa to the 2005 Outland Trophy Watchlist, recognizing him as one of the top-36 lineman in the country.
"Jake has a lot of potential," offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said. "His work ethic has improved over the past year, and as long he continues to work hard and make progress, I expect him to have a great year."
Kuresa has been a mainstay in the Cougar offensive line since his redshirt-freshman season in 2003. That year he started all 12 games and saw action at both guard and tackle, earning offensive lineman-of-the-game honors four times. As a sophomore in 2004, Kuresa started all 11 games and helped anchor a BYU offense that averaged 24.3 points, 105.8 yards rushing and 279.5 yards passing per game. Along with his nomination to the Outland Trophy Watch List, Kuresa is a 2005 Preseason Mountain West All-Conference selection and a Street & Smith's Preseason honorable mention All-American.
The Millville, Utah native came to BYU as one of the top-five defensive lineman prospects in the nation after leading Mountain Crest High School to the Utah State Championship as a senior and earning first-team all-state honors twice. He made the switch to offensive tackle during his redshirt season in 2002.
The Outland Trophy has been awarded since 1946. The winner is selected by the FWAA's All-America Committee, which picks three finalists from the association's 25-man team.
The 2005 Outland Trophy winner will be announced Dec. 8 in Orlando, Fla., on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Former Outland Trophy winner Ron Yary (1967) from USC will make the announcement.
Kuresa joins two other Cougars under consideration for major individual awards. Junior linebacker Cameron Jensen is on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, which is awarded to the nation's top defensive player, while senior offensive lineman Lance Reynolds is a Rimington Trophy candidate, awarded to the nation's top center. It is anticipated that senior wide receiver Todd Watkins--a preseason All-American--will be named to the Biletnikoff watch list, given to the nation's top receiver.
For more information on the Outland Trophy visit the official website at www.outlandtrophy.com or click here.
Written by BYU Athletic Communications
