Jackson, McNeill Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

June 30, 2005

AUBURN - Auburn seniors T.J. Jackson and Marcus McNeill have been named to the 2005 Outland Trophy Watch List, it was announced Thursday. The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation's best interior offensive or defensive lineman in college football.

Jackson enjoyed a stellar 2004 season, racking up 51 tackles, including seven for loss, while starting all 13 of Auburn's games. Jackson, a senior from Opelika, Ala., registered at least two tackles in every game last season.

For Jackson, a nose guard, it is his second such preseason honor in a little more than a week. On June 22, he was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List. That award is given annually to the nation's outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.

McNeill started all 13 games a year ago. The Decatur, Ga., native was named to the Coaches' and Associated Press All-SEC First-Team in 2004. The senior has started 28 games in three years with the Tigers.

The senior offensive tackle is also a preseason First-Team All-American by The Sporting News, Lindy's, Athlon Sports and the Blue Ribbon College Football Yearbook.

Thirty-six collegiate players have been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List and is announced by The Football Writers Association of America. Jackson and McNeill are two of seven players from the Southeastern Conference to be named to the initial watch list. Auburn is the only team from the SEC to place two players on the Watch List.

The Outland Trophy has been awarded since 1946. The FWAA All-America Committee selects the association's 25-man team and picks three Outland Trophy finalists.

The 2005 Outland Trophy announcement will come Dec. 8 in Orlando, Fla., on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The presentation banquet will be held Jan. 12, 2006 in Omaha, Neb.

Oklahoma offensive tackle Jammal Brown won the 2004 Outland Trophy winner. Zeke Smith won Auburn's first Outland Trophy in 1958, followed by Tracy Rocker in 1988.