The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
11.25.2014 | Football
Junior defensive tackle one of three finalists for national award; seventh finalist in school history
OMAHA, Neb. – Malcom Brown has been named one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, which honors the nation's best interior lineman.
The junior defensive tackle, already one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's best defensive player, is joined by Auburn center Reese Dismukes and Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff as Outland finalists.
Brown, who was named to the ESPN and SI.com Midseason All-America teams, leads the team in tackles for loss (14), sacks (6.5) and forced fumbles (2), and is tied for the team lead in QB pressures. He ranks sixth (first among defensive tackles) in the Big 12 in sacks (0.59 per game). He is also sixth nationally among defensive tackles in sacks and has recorded 66 tackles on the season.
Texas has had three Outland Trophy winners and Brown is the seventh finalist. Defensive tackle Brad Shearer won in 1977, guard Tommy Nobis in 1965 and tackle Scott Appleton in 1963. The other finalists were offensive lineman Justin Blalock (2006), offensive tackle Leonard Davis (2000) and offensive guard Dan Neil (1996). The 2014 winner will be announced Dec. 11.
"I feel really honored to be an Outland finalist," Brown said. "It's an award that all of us lineman dream of winning and one that some great players at Texas have won. But, when you're a lineman, you know that you can't do it alone. Any plays we make or success we have is because of the guys around us so I can't thank my teammates enough for helping to put me in this position. Any honor I get I owe to all of them and the coaches that help us play our best."
Brown has been one of the leaders of a defense that ranks 27th in the FBS in total yards allowed (346.5 per game), 24th in points allowed (21.0 pg), No. 14 in passing defense (182.0 ypg), No. 13 in yards allowed per play (4.59), 13th in passing efficiency defense (106.32 rating), tied for seventh in sacks (3.4 pg) and 17th in red-zone defense (73.5 percent).
"I know I'm partial because he's my guy but I've seen a lot of football this year and I don't think there's anyone out there playing better than Malcom," head coach Charlie Strong said. "And the thing everyone doesn't see that I really like about him is that he practices like he plays. He practices and plays with great energy and passion. It just makes him so much fun to watch."
Brown is on pace to lead the team in tackles for loss and sacks. The last defensive tackle to lead the Longhorns in both categories was Tony Degrate in 1984, the year he won the Lombardi Award.
"Malcom is a student of the game," Strong said. "If you tell him something to look for, he's going to study film, find it and prepare for it. He's not only an unbelievable talent and great football player, but also a really smart player who has a great understanding of the game."
Awarded to the top interior lineman on offense or defense since 1946 by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), the Outland Trophy is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Pennsylvania. It is the third-oldest player award in major college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award.
The winner of the 69th Outland Trophy will be revealed on as part of the ESPN College Football Awards, which air from 6-8 p.m. Central on Dec. 11 from the Dance Hall on the Disney Boardwalk in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
