TicketsDALLAS – The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Tuesday that University of Cincinnati redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Dontay Corleone has been named to the national preseason watch lists for the 2023 Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Corleone was one of 10 players nationally – joined by Texas Tech's Jaylon Hutchings from the Big 12 – to earn mention for both awards.
The Cincinnati native anchored a defense that ranked fifth nationally with 4.61 yards per play allowed and totaled 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in only 11 games in 2022 to earn All-AAC First Team and Third Team All-America selections from the Associated Press (AP) and Pro Football Focus (PFF). He was also named an AFCA and College Football News Freshman All-American.
He finished as the nation's highest-graded defensive player by PFF (93.8) in 2022 and recorded a single-season run defense grade (94.7) that was the best of any player since 2019.
Created in 1946, the Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award and is presented annually to the nation's top interior lineman. Corleone was one of 24 defensive tackles and 10 players from the Big 12 represented on the initial list that selected 91 players from 65 schools over 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded to the nation's top defensive player since 1993. The first installment of the watch list recognized 96 players from 70 schools. Corleone was one of 13 defensive tackles and 11 Big 12 players selected.
Each trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA presents college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients since 1935. For the first time this season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
The watch lists add to the impressive list of preseason award candidacies for Corleone. The Cincinnati native was previously named Preseason All-Big 12 by conference media and tabbed a Walter Camp, Phil Steele and Athlon Sports Preseason All-American earlier this offseason.
Cincinnati opens the 2023 season on Sept. 2 when it hosts Eastern Kentucky inside Nippert Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET.
ABOUT THE OUTLAND TROPHY
The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award and has presented to the best interior lineman, offense or defense, in college football since 1946. Dr. John Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award after he believed that linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and the eventual three finalists. The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 10, 2024.
ABOUT THE BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY
Since 1993, the Bronko Nagurski has been given to the nation's top defensive player. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2023 trophy on Nov. 15 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 4 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
Corleone was one of 10 players nationally – joined by Texas Tech's Jaylon Hutchings from the Big 12 – to earn mention for both awards.
The Cincinnati native anchored a defense that ranked fifth nationally with 4.61 yards per play allowed and totaled 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in only 11 games in 2022 to earn All-AAC First Team and Third Team All-America selections from the Associated Press (AP) and Pro Football Focus (PFF). He was also named an AFCA and College Football News Freshman All-American.
He finished as the nation's highest-graded defensive player by PFF (93.8) in 2022 and recorded a single-season run defense grade (94.7) that was the best of any player since 2019.
Created in 1946, the Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award and is presented annually to the nation's top interior lineman. Corleone was one of 24 defensive tackles and 10 players from the Big 12 represented on the initial list that selected 91 players from 65 schools over 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded to the nation's top defensive player since 1993. The first installment of the watch list recognized 96 players from 70 schools. Corleone was one of 13 defensive tackles and 11 Big 12 players selected.
Each trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA presents college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients since 1935. For the first time this season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
The watch lists add to the impressive list of preseason award candidacies for Corleone. The Cincinnati native was previously named Preseason All-Big 12 by conference media and tabbed a Walter Camp, Phil Steele and Athlon Sports Preseason All-American earlier this offseason.
Cincinnati opens the 2023 season on Sept. 2 when it hosts Eastern Kentucky inside Nippert Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET.
ABOUT THE OUTLAND TROPHY
The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award and has presented to the best interior lineman, offense or defense, in college football since 1946. Dr. John Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award after he believed that linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and the eventual three finalists. The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 10, 2024.
ABOUT THE BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY
Since 1993, the Bronko Nagurski has been given to the nation's top defensive player. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2023 trophy on Nov. 15 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 4 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.