Eleven Trojans Named to Preseason Award Watch Lists

With football season fast approaching, presason watch-lists have been released for the major individual player awards.

In total 11 Trojans are listed on the watch lists for 12 different awards.

Sophomore linebacker Dion Bailey leads the Trojans with four diferent nominations. Last year's team-leader in tackles was named to the watch-lists for the Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagusrki Trophy -- both for the nation's top defensive player -- as well as the Rotary Lombardi Award for the best lineman or linebacker and the Butkus Award for best linebacker.

Cornerback Nickell Robey and safety T.J. McDonald were also named to the watch-lists for the Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagusrki Trophy, as well as the Thorpe Award for the best defensive back.

There is no official Heisman Trophy watch-list, but Matt Barkley was named to two others: the Maxwell Award for the nation's most outstanding player, and the Davey O'Brien Trophy for the top quarterback.

Wide receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee were both named to the watch-lists for the Maxwell Award, and the Biletnikoff Award for the best receiver, but not without some controversy. Lee was initially left off the list, but the Freshman All-American was added after a social media firestorm about his initial omission.

Running back Curtis McNeal was named to the the Maxwell Award watch-list alongside his offensive teammates, as well as the Doak Walker Award for the top running back.

Center Khaled Holmes. linebacker Hayes Pullard and defensive end Wes Horton were also named to the Lombardi Award watch-list along with Bailey. Holmes was named to the Outland Trophy watch-list for the best interior lineman as well.

Finally, Andre Heidari was named to the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award watch-lsit.