DALLAS - The Football Writers Association of America announced on Tuesday that Fresno State senior offensive guard Mose Vavao has been unveiled as a lineman on the preseason watchlist for the 2023 Outland Trophy, presented annually to the best interior lineman in college football.
The initial watch list named 89 linemen from around the country and five from the Mountain West. Vavao is one of four offensive linemen represented from the MW.
Vavao started all 14 games at right guard in 2022, one of only two spots on the Bulldogs' offensive line that did not have a different starter at any point in the season. He enters 2023 with the second-most career starts with 29, getting the start in every game for the past two seasons. He has appeared in 33 career games.
The Newark, Calif. native has been a part of the offensive success that Fresno State has had over the years. Since 2020, Vavao has been an anchor on the offensive line for an offense that consistently ranked as the best in the Mountain West and among the top in the FBS. In 2022, Vavao helped Bulldogs Jordan Mims (RB) and Jalen Moreno-Cropper (WR) to 1,000 yards in their respective categories. It was the first time Fresno State had both in one season since 2014.
Vavao has been a versatile athlete, playing both right and left guard in his time as a Bulldog.
His preseason honors include being named to the preseason All-Mountain West team, and being selected as a first team All-Mountain West lineman by Phil Steele and third team All-Mountain West lineman by Athlon Sports.
Flashback
The last Bulldog offensive lineman to be named to the Outland Trophy watch list was Cody Whichmann in 2014. Notably, former Bulldog Logan Mankins was a preseason addition to the Outland Trophy watch list in 2003.
About the Outland Trophy
The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. 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. 10, 2024.
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 78 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.