STANFORD, Calif. - Rising fifth-year center Jesse Burkett and rising junior guard Nate Herbig were named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list on Tuesday.
The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the best college football interior lineman and voted on by the Football Writers Association of America.
Burkett, who was also named to the Rimington Trophy preseason watch list, has started at center each of the past two seasons, paving the way for the Cardinal's trademark rushing attack. In 2017, he was an All-Pac-12 Conference honorable mention and Pac-12 All-Academic second team choice. The Japanese and symbolic systems double major also was named to the CoSIDA Academic All-District team for the second time.
A communication major, Herbig played in 13 games and was an All-Pac-12 first team selection last season. He has been tabbed a 2018 preseason All-American by Athlon and Sporting News. Behind Herbig and Burkett, Stanford set a school record with 5.90 yards per carry last season and cleared the way for running back Bryce Love's school record 2,118 rushing yards.
Former Stanford guard Joshua Garnett won the Outland Trophy in 2015, and was later drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the NFL Draft (28th overall pick).
Stanford begins the 2018 campaign on Aug. 31 against San Diego State. Kickoff at Stanford Stadium is set for 6 p.m. PT.
Preseason Honors
Outland Trophy watch list
Jesse Burkett • Center
Nate Herbig • Guard
Butkus Award watch list
Bobby Okereke • Linebacker
Rimington Trophy watch list
Jesse Burkett • Center
Mackey Award watch list
Kaden Smith • Tight End
Biletnikoff Award watch list
JJ Arcega-Whiteside • Wide Receiver
Doak Walker Award watch list
Bryce Love • Running Back
Bednarik Award watch list
Alijah Holder • Cornerback
Bobby Okereke • Linebacker
Maxwell Award watch list
K.J. Costello • Quarterback
Bryce Love • Running Back
Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list
Bobby Okereke • Linebacker
Dodd Trophy watch list
David Shaw • Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football
Sporting News Preseason All-America
First Team
Bryce Love • Running Back
Second Team
Nate Herbig • Offensive Line
Jake Bailey • Punter
Athlon Preseason All-America
First Team Offense
Bryce Love • Running Back
Second Team Offense
Nate Herbig • Offensive Line
Second Team Specialist
Jake Bailey • Punter
Third Team Offense
Kaden Smith • Tight End
Athlon Preseason All-Pac-12
First Team
Bryce Love • Running Back
JJ Arcega-Whiteside • Wide Receiver
Kaden Smith • Tight End
Nate Herbig • Offensive Line
Bobby Okereke • Linebacker
Cameron Scarlett • Kick Returner
Second Team
Walker Little • Offensive Line
Jet Toner • Kicker
Jake Bailey • Punter
Third Team
Jesse Burkett • Offensive Line
Fourth Team
Frank Buncom • Safety