We continue on with the college football preseason award watch lists with the announcement of the Outland Trophy 2026 preseason watch list. As you would expect, there is some Ohio State flavor to the list, with three Buckeyes being named by the Football Writers Association of America.
First handed out in 1946, the Outland Trophy is awarded to the best college football interior lineman. And with all the experience and ability the OSU offensive line has coming back this season, three of those linemen, Austin Siereveld, Carson Hinzman, and Luke Montgomery, were among the names appearing alongside other talented linemen.
Siereveld, a two-year starter who was thrust into action during Ohio State's 2025 College Football Playoff national championship run, is heading into his redshirt junior season and was arguably the best Ohio State lineman last season. He was solid at left tackle, but may be moved to another position to get the best five guys on the field together. No matter where he plays, he should be the anchor of the line again and will be among some of the best offensive linemen available in the NFL draft next April.
Hinzman, now entering his fifth year, grabbed the starting spot at center in 2023, moved to guard to start the 2024 season, but then was the starting center again for the national championship run when Rimington winner Seth McGlaughlin was lost for the season with injury. The Wisconsin native was then the unquestioned starter at center last season and was an AFCA First Team All-American and Third Team All-Big Ten. He is also on the Rimington preseason watch list for the best center in college football.
Montgomery, like the other two, also carved out a piece of his legacy during the national championship run in 2024. He started the last two games of Ohio State's run and gained the confidence of the coaching staff to start all 14 games last season on the interior. He will be counted on to be another All-Big Ten-type performer. He is entering his junior season having already started 16 total games on the offensive line and appeared in 28 total games.
Built in the trenches. @lukeMonty8 , @HinzmanCarson and @SiereveldAustin earn spots on the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List. pic.twitter.com/17bTa3psbn
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 4, 2026
Four Buckeyes have taken home the Outland Trophy since its inception, but the last to do it was Orlando Pace back in 1996. Before him, Jim Parker (1956), Jim Stillwagon (1970), and John Hicks (1973) were honored. The Outland will be announced and awarded during ESPN's Home Depot College Awards Show on December 11.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Three Ohio State players named to Outland Trophy preseason watch list