News release from Texas A&M Football:
DALLAS – Texas A&M offensive lineman Chase Bisontis was named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, announced by the Football Writers Association of America Tuesday morning. The award is given annually to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman.
Bisontis, a sophomore, earned ESPN Freshman All-America and SEC All-Freshman Team recognition in 2023. He was one of two Aggie offensive linemen to start all 13 games, making 12 starts at right tackle and starting the Texas Bowl at right guard.
The Ramsey, New Jersey, native helped the offense record 300-plus yards passing in four games, while yielding 2.0 sacks or less in nine games. Bisontis and the offensive line paved the way for the rushing attack to rack up over 200 yards in wins over Auburn (209), Arkansas (204) and Mississippi State (246).
The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 12. The FWAA will announce the Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 20, and those players will then be paired down to three finalists announced on Nov. 26. The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from those finalists who will be part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 79 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Missouri. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.