Outland Trophy (nation's most outstanding interior lineman)
Finalists: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame; Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama; Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
Who should win: Nixon. He signed with Iowa in 2017, arrived a year late because of NCAA Clearinghouse issues and entered the transfer portal and nearly left Iowa after the 2019 season. This season, he was named the Big Ten Conference Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year. He led the Big Ten with 13½ tackles for loss and was tied with teammate Chauncey Golston for second with 5½ sacks.
Who will win: Eichenberg
Rimington Trophy (outstanding center)
Finalists: Landon Dickerson, Alabama; Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa; Josh Myers, Ohio State
Who should win: Linderbaum. The Iowa native was PFF's top-rated center with an overall grade of 91.5, allowing zero sacks, two quarterback hits and three pressures in 545 total snaps. He graded at 87.3 in pass-blocking plays and 90.6 on run-blocking snaps, according to PFF. He was the signal-caller for an offensive line that allowed only 11 sacks, second fewest among Big Ten teams that played at least eight games. Last week, the draft-eligible sophomore announced he'll return to Iowa for the 2021 season.
Who will win: Dickerson
Finalists: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame; Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama; Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
Who should win: Nixon. He signed with Iowa in 2017, arrived a year late because of NCAA Clearinghouse issues and entered the transfer portal and nearly left Iowa after the 2019 season. This season, he was named the Big Ten Conference Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year. He led the Big Ten with 13½ tackles for loss and was tied with teammate Chauncey Golston for second with 5½ sacks.
Who will win: Eichenberg
Rimington Trophy (outstanding center)
Finalists: Landon Dickerson, Alabama; Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa; Josh Myers, Ohio State
Who should win: Linderbaum. The Iowa native was PFF's top-rated center with an overall grade of 91.5, allowing zero sacks, two quarterback hits and three pressures in 545 total snaps. He graded at 87.3 in pass-blocking plays and 90.6 on run-blocking snaps, according to PFF. He was the signal-caller for an offensive line that allowed only 11 sacks, second fewest among Big Ten teams that played at least eight games. Last week, the draft-eligible sophomore announced he'll return to Iowa for the 2021 season.
Who will win: Dickerson
