Alabama offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher was among 58 players on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, it was announced on Friday. The Rimington Trophy is presented annually “to the nation’s most outstanding center.”
Pierschbacher is a three-year starter at guard who moved to center in the spring to replace Bradley Bozeman, a Rimington finalist last season. who has helped push Alabama to three straight national championship games. He has started 43 games in his career, beginning as Alabama’s left guard in 2015. He moved to right guard for part of the 2016 season. He was a first-team All-SEC pick by the league media.
Alabama has two previous winners of the Rimington Trophy: Barrett Jones in 2012 and Ryan Kelly in 2015. You can see the full watch list here.
Senior tight end Hale Hentges was among 64 candidates on the preseason watch list for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s best tight end.
Hentges has played in all 44 games Alabama has played in his career with 13 starts last season. He finished his junior season with seven catches for 75 yards and three touchdowns. He has 11 catches for 90 yards in his career.
Hentges was also a preseason candidate for the Mackey Award in 2017. Coaches chose Hentges as a player of the week twice after his performances against Ole Miss and Tennessee during his junior season.
Alabama has never had a player win the Mackey Award since it was first awarded in 2000. You can see the full watch list for the award here.
