Mann Named to Outland Watch List

Nebraska senior Kurt Mann is among the group of standout linemen included on the initial Outland Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America announced Monday.

Mann is a two-year starter at center for Nebraska, which leads the nation in Outland Trophy winners with seven. He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors while helping Nebraska set several school passing records in 2005. Mann is also a standout in the classroom, where is a returning first-team academic All-American and will play the 2006 season as a graduate student after receiving his undergraduate degree in May.

The Outland Award has been presented to the best offensive or defensive lineman in college football since 1946, and the winner is selected by the FWAA's All-America Committee. The trophy announcement will be on Dec. 7 in Orlando, Fla., during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show while the Outland Trophy presentation banquet will be Jan. 11, 2007, in Omaha.

One of eight Big 12 Conference players included on the initial Outland Watch List, Mann was also among the group of outstanding centers nominated for the Rimington Award last month. The Rimington Award is given annually to the nation's top center.

2006 OUTLAND TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LISTPlayer, School Pos. Cl. HometownWill Arnold, LSU G Jr. Gloster, Miss.Sam Baker, USC OT Jr. Tustin, Calif.Kirk Barton, Ohio State OT Jr. Massillon, OhioGeorge Batiste, Southern Miss OL Sr. Avondale, La.Josh Beekman, Boston College G Sr. Amsterdam, N.Y.Justin Blalock, Texas OT Sr. Plano, TexasConrad Bolston, Maryland DT Sr. Burtonsville, Md.Levi Brown, Penn State OT Sr. Norfolk, Va.Andrew Browning, Boise State DT Sr. Lake Oswego, Ore.Ryan Clady, Boise State OT So. Rialto, Calif.Brent Curvey, Iowa State DL Sr. Houston, TexasBrian Daniels, Colorado OL Sr. Evergreen, Colo.Tim Duckworth, Auburn G Sr. Taylorsville, Miss.Mark Fenton, Colorado C Sr. Inglewood, Calif.Doug Free, Northern Illinois OT Sr. Manitowoc, Wis.Roman Fry, Clemson OL Sr. Ironton, OhioHowie Fuimaono, UNLV DL Sr. Chula Vista, Calif.Rhema Fuller, Connecticut DT Sr. Cocoa, Fla.Jared Gaither, Maryland OT So. White Plains, Md.Ryan Harris, Notre Dame OL Sr. St. Paul, Minn.Daniel Inman, Georgia OT Sr. Hope Mills, N.C.Tanner Jenkins, Arkansas State C Sr. Baton Rouge, La.Chase Johnson, Wyoming OT Sr. Loveland, Colo.Ryan Kalil, USC C Sr. Corona, Calif.Jake Kuresa, BYU OL Sr. Millville, UtahJake Long, Michigan OL Sr. Lapeer, Mich.Enoka Lucas, Oregon C Sr. Honolulu, HawaiiKurt Mann, Nebraska OL Sr. Grand Island, Neb.Brandon Mebane, California DT Sr. Los Angeles, Calif.Remel Meekins, Rutgers DL Sr. Westwood, N.J.Dan Mozes, West Virginia OL Sr. Washington, Pa.David Ochoa, Kansas OL Sr. Houston, TexasJeff Perrett, Tulsa OT Sr. Taber, AlbertaJeremy Perry, Oregon State OL So. Laie, HawaiiQuinn Pitcock, Ohio State DT Sr. Piqua, OhioKurt Quarterman, Louisville OL Sr. Albany, Ga.Manuel Ramirez, Texas Tech OL Sr. Sugarland, TexasSirVincent Rogers, Houston OL Jr. Jasper, TexasSamson Satele, Hawaii OL Sr. Kaneohe, HawaiiArron Sears, Tennessee OT Sr. Russellville, Ala.Jeremy Sheffey, West Virginia G Sr. Catlettsburg, Ky.Brian Stamper, Vanderbilt OT Sr. Windermere, Fla.Herbert Taylor, TCU OT Sr. Houston, TexasShannon Tevaga, UCLA G Jr. Paramount, Calif.Joe Thomas, Wisconsin OL Sr. Brookfield, Wis.Marcus Thomas, Florida DT Sr. Jacksonville, Fla.Robert Turner, New Mexico G Sr. Austin, TexasKelly Talavou, Utah DL Sr. Santa Ana, Calif.Tavo Tupola, Utah OL Sr. Kahuku, HawaiiSteve Vallos, Wake Forest OT Sr. Boardman, OhioGreg Wafford, Kansas State OL Sr. Lancaster, TexasTheodric Watson, South Florida OL Sr. St. Petersburg, Fla.Eric Wood, Louisville OL So. Cincinnati, OhioKyle Young, Fresno State C Sr. Fallbrook, Calif.