DALLAS — Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. was named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy on Tuesday morning, while defensive end Brandon Dorlus and defensive back Evan Williams landed on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list.
The prestigious Outland Trophy is given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented to the best defensive player in college football. Watch lists for both honors were announced by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Conerly is among 91 returning players on the Outland Trophy watch list. Left tackle Penei Sewell became the first Duck ever to win the honor in 2019.
Dorlus and Williams are two of 96 standout defensive players on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, making Oregon one of 14 schools nationally to have multiple players represented.
OL Josh Conerly Jr. – Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List» Appeared in all 13 games for the Ducks as a true freshman in 2022.
» Played 118 total snaps on offense and 60 on special teams.
» Established a key role in short-yardage and goal-line situations as an extra lineman.
» Helped the Ducks lead the nation with just five sacks allowed all season.
» Assisted in UO finishing as the only FBS team in the top 20 for both passing and rushing offense.
» Caught a four-yard touchdown pass in Oregon’s win at Colorado; first UO offensive lineman since 2016 to catch a TD.
Brandon Dorlus – Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List» All-Pac-12 second team selection in 2022; first team in 2021.
» Preseason all-Pac-12 first-team honoree entering 2023.
» Started all 13 games last season while playing 651 defensive snaps.
» Led Oregon with a career-high 9.5 tackles for loss, and matched career-high with 2.5 sacks.
» Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week after Oregon’s wins over BYU and Stanford.
» Earned a solid 75.0 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus.
» Credited by PFF with 40 QB hurries, tied for seventh-most among all FBS defenders.
» 46 total pressures in 2022 ranked sixth among Pac-12 defenders, according to PFF.
Evan Williams – Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List» Senior transfer from Fresno State, after earning all-Mountain West second team in 2022.
» Selected to the preseason all-Pac-12 second team by the league’s media entering 2023.
» Brother of former Oregon defensive back, Bennett Williams.
» Started all 10 games played in 2022, finishing with 66 total tackles.
» Added six TFLs, a sack, four pass breakups and a blocked punt last season for the Bulldogs.
» Made at least four tackles in every game and a TFL in seven of 10 games.
» Ended the season with seven solo tackles, a TFL and first career sack vs. WSU.
Ducks on 2023 Preseason Watch Lists
Maxwell Award – QB Bo Nix
Outland Trophy – OL Josh Conerly Jr.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – DE Brandon Dorlus, DB Evan Williams
