From NU Sports Information:
Collins Named to Outland and Nagurski Lists
Nebraska junior defensive tackle Maliek Collins continues to roll up the preseason honors. On Friday, the Kansas City native was named to the preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s top interior lineman, while the Nagurski Trophy is presented to the nation’s top defensive player. Both awards are selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Earlier this week, Collins was named to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club.
The 6-2, 300-pound Collins will man the interior of the Nebraska defensive front in 2015. Last season, Collins emerged as a dominant force at defensive tackle, leading the team with 14 tackles for loss, while adding 4.5 sacks. He was at his best against the toughest foes, with 12 of his 14 tackles for loss coming in Big Ten Conference games or the bowl game against USC. Collins was named co-Defensive MVP for the Huskers in 2014, and was a second-team All-Big Ten pick.
Collins was one of 15 Big Ten players named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and among 11 Big Ten linemen on the Outland Trophy list.
Nebraska has a long tradition with the Outland Trophy. Husker players have won a nation-leading nine Outland Trophies, most recently Ndamukong Suh in 2009. The Outland Trophy is presented each year at a banquet in Omaha. Suh also captured the Nagurski Trophy in 2009.
Collins Named to Outland and Nagurski Lists
Nebraska junior defensive tackle Maliek Collins continues to roll up the preseason honors. On Friday, the Kansas City native was named to the preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s top interior lineman, while the Nagurski Trophy is presented to the nation’s top defensive player. Both awards are selected by the Football Writers Association of America. Earlier this week, Collins was named to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club.
The 6-2, 300-pound Collins will man the interior of the Nebraska defensive front in 2015. Last season, Collins emerged as a dominant force at defensive tackle, leading the team with 14 tackles for loss, while adding 4.5 sacks. He was at his best against the toughest foes, with 12 of his 14 tackles for loss coming in Big Ten Conference games or the bowl game against USC. Collins was named co-Defensive MVP for the Huskers in 2014, and was a second-team All-Big Ten pick.
Collins was one of 15 Big Ten players named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and among 11 Big Ten linemen on the Outland Trophy list.
Nebraska has a long tradition with the Outland Trophy. Husker players have won a nation-leading nine Outland Trophies, most recently Ndamukong Suh in 2009. The Outland Trophy is presented each year at a banquet in Omaha. Suh also captured the Nagurski Trophy in 2009.
