UO Preseason College Football Watch Lists
Two years after Marcus Mariota’s Heisman Trophy season, the Oregon football team enters the fall of 2016 with another player who figures prominently in preseason discussions for national player of the year awards. Junior running back Royce Freeman, who set a UO record with 1,836 rushing yards last season, is on the preseason watch list for national player of the year awards bestowed by the Maxwell Football Club and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Mariota won both awards as well as the Heisman in 2014. Freeman also is on the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top running back and won by LaMichael James of Oregon in 2010. Preseason watch lists for many of the country’s most prestigious awards were announced over the past two weeks, culminating in the release of the Walter Camp Award watch list Friday. Freeman enters the start of preseason camp, slated for Aug. 8, with 3,201 career rushing yards. He would need 1,881 as a junior to match James’ UO career record, set from 2009-11. Freeman’s 35 career rushing touchdowns are 18 fewer than James’ total from his three seasons in Eugene. Also Friday, junior Charles Nelson was announced as a preseason candidate for the Paul Hornung Award, given to the nation’s most versatile player. As a sophomore, Nelson piled up 1,266 all-purpose yards and also moved to defense and was a starting safety for the second half of the season. Nelson return punts as a freshman and kickoffs as a sophomore, and also has been an elite kick coverage player the last two seasons. He enters 2016 intending to focus his efforts on offense and special teams after finishing last season with 47 tackles and two interceptions. Yet another junior from Oregon’s 2014 recruiting class, offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby, was named to the watch list for the Outland Trophy as the nation’s top interior lineman. A two-year starter at right tackle, Crosby shifted to left tackle this spring in preparation for replacing departed starter Tyler Johnstone there this season. The John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s best tight end, demonstrated its respect for Oregon senior Pharaoh Brown by naming him to its preseason watch list despite the fact Brown missed all of the 2015 season due to injury. As a junior in 2014, Brown was blossoming into an elite talent, with 25 receptions for 420 yards and six touchdowns, before being injured in early November. All-Pac-12 placekicker Aidan Schneider also was honored by a preseason watch list, for the Lou Groza Award. Schneider made 22-of-24 field-goal attempts in 2015, and all 67 of his extra-point attempts.
OSU Preseason Watch Lists
Oregon State football student-athletes Victor Bolden Jr. and Seth Collins have been named to the initial watch list for the Paul Hornung Award presented by Texas Roadhouse. The Award signifies the most versatile high-level performer in college football. Bolden Jr., is a senior receiver from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. The public health major has accounted for 3,619 career all-purpose yards and has scored touchdowns (9) rushing, receiving, and as a kick and punt returner. Collins is a sophomore from San Diego. The undeclared major played both quarterback and receiver during his true freshman season last year posting 1,510 yards of total offense with 14 touchdowns. Oregon State opens the season Thursday, Sept. 1 at Minnesota, which will be televised by the Big Ten Network. The Beavers will then embark on a seven-game home schedule at Reser Stadium that begins Saturday, Sept. 17 against Idaho State on the Pac-12 Network. For information on season tickets for the upcoming schedule, including access to The Terrace, please contact the OSU ticket office at 1-800-GO-Beavs during weekday business hours or beavertickets.com
