More Utah Football Players Added to Preseason Award Watch Lists Nagurski and Outland

University of Utah football players are getting a lot of attention from preseason award watch lists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy both released their preseason watch list, and Utah players are on both lists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is given to the National Defensive Player of the Year. On the watch list are junior defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei, senior defensive ends Hunter Dimick and Kylie Fitts and junior defensive back Marcus Williams. The Outland Trophy is given to the nation's most outstanding interior offensive lineman, and the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy are Lotulelei and senior offensive lineman J.J. Dielman.

Below is the official press release from the University of Utah

DALLAS -Utah junior defensive tackle Lowell Lotulelei was named to both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy watch lists today to lead a contingent of five Utes on the lists. Senior defensive ends Hunter Dimick and Kylie Fitts and junior defensive back Marcus Williams were also selected to the Bronko Nagurski watch list, while senior offensive lineman J.J. Dielman joined Lotulelei on Outland Trophy watch list.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the National Defensive Player of the Year and the Outland Trophy honors the most outstanding interior lineman. Both awards are selected by the Football Writers Association of America. The winners will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 8.

Lotulelei, who was previously named to the Bednarik Award watch list (presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year), was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection as a sophomore last year after earning honorable mention all-conference and Freshman All-America honors in 2014. Fitts, also on the Bednarik Award watch list, led the Pac-12 and tied for ninth in the nation in forced fumbles last season with four. Dimick has started part- or full-time at defensive end since his freshman season and his 15.0 career sacks ties him for eighth-most all-time at Utah. Williams was a first-team All-Pac-12 safety in 2015 when he finished second in the Pac-12 and led Utah with five interceptions. Dielman, a second-team All-Pac-12 pick last year, led Utah's offensive linemen in cuts (32) and was second in snaps played (804) in the 11 games graded last season.

Utes on 2016 Watch Lists

Bednarik Award (College Defensive Player of the Year): Lotulelei, Fitts.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (National Defensive Player of the Year): Lotulelei, Fitts, Dimick, Williams.
Outland Trophy (Outstanding Interior Lineman): Lotulelei, Dielman
Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award: Andy Phillips