DALLAS – Fresno State senior offensive lineman Mose Vavao was named to the Outland Trophy watch list Tuesday morning, kicking off Fresno State's preseason Football Writers Association of America watch list additions. The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation's standout interior lineman.
Vavao returns in 2024 as one of the most experienced players on the roster, leading an experienced offensive line unit in a new role at center this season.
The native of Newark, Calif. has played at both left guard and right guard in his Bulldog career. Vavao was a second team All-Mountain West selection in 2023, starting all 13 games at right guard. He was the only offensive guard in the Mountain West and one of four in the Group of Five to play 650 or more snaps without a penalty a season ago.
He has been an anchor on the Bulldog offensive line throughout his career, having started in 42 consecutive games of 46 career games played dating back to 2020. Vavao returns in 2024 as Fresno State's team leader in career games started (42) and is second on the team in games played (46).
Vavao was voted a team captain by his teammates in 2023.
The Outland Trophy watch list adds to the list of preseason honors for Vavao as the senior was a preseason All-Mountain West pick, and an All-MW pick by Phil Steele (second team) and Athlon Sports (first team).
The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12, 2024. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 22, 2025.
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, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
The FWAA preseason award watch lists will be announced over a 12-day period which began on Monday, July 29. More information available here.