The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Blalock named Outland Trophy finalist
11.21.2006 | Football
DALLAS -- UT senior offensive lineman Justin Blalock has been named one of three finalists for the 2006 Outland Trophy, honoring the nation's best interior lineman, the Football Writers Association of America has announced. Offensive lineman Joe Thomas of Wisconsin and C Dan Mozes of West Virginia join him as finalists.
"It's a tremendous honor," Blalock said. "I'm very flattered that everyone who votes for this would think so highly of me. It reflects on a lot of people other than myself. I have great coaches, and it's hard to have a single great offensive lineman without a great offensive line. This is also an honor for the other guys that play on the line with me. This is the award earmarked for the big guys, and just to be mentioned is a phenomenal feeling."
Blalock becomes the third Longhorn finalist for the award since it began naming three finalists in 1987, following OT Leonard Davis in 2000 and OG Dan Neil in 1996. Texas has had three winners, including DT Brad Shearer in 1977, G Tommy Nobis in 1965 and T Scott Appleton in 1963.
"Justin has been unbelievable," said Texas head coach Mack Brown. "From the first day he stepped into the lineup until now, 49 games later, he's been a guy you can count on to play at an unbelievably high level on every snap. He has everything you want in a lineman - strength, quickness, power, explosiveness, and he's as technically sound as anyone I've ever coached. He's also a great leader who is really tough and competitive. You won't find anybody in our program that doesn't have the greatest respect for Justin Blalock. I'm happy that the folks at the Outland Trophy recognized how well he's playing and how important he is to our team."
Blalock, who has made 49 consecutive starts (t-No. 1 on the UT all-time list), has led UT to 39.5 points per game (fourth NCAA), 407.4 yards per game (18th NCAA) and 179.5 yards rushing per game (22nd NCAA) and has not given up a sack in his last 26 games.
Already named a 2006 Lombardi Award finalist, Blalock was named a preseason first-team All-American by Lindy's, Playboy and The Sporting News.
The Outland Trophy, which has been awarded annually by the Football Writers Association since 1946, is named after the late John Outland, a lineman at Pennsylvania at the turn of the century. Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in 1898 at tackle and at back in 1899. Dr. Outland was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. The Outland Trophy is the third oldest award in major college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 900 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.