DALLAS (SMU) - SMU's Offensive Linemen  Joshua Bates and PJ Williams were nominated for the Outland Trophy Preseason Watchlist, announced on Tuesday.

The Outland Trophy is presented to the Nation's Best Interior Lineman. This year, 68 returning players from 49 different FBS teams were recognized with the ACC having three teams with more than one lineman represented.

Within their first season together, both helped an offensive line that made way for the Mustangs to average 283.1 passing yards per game, which was good for 12th in the nation and second in conference. They were also part of an offensive front that allowed 19 sacks, ranking 29th nationally, while also playing integral roles in SMU averaging 416.9 total offensive yards per game. 

Both were preseason All-ACC selections by the conference announced earlier this month, with Williams also receiving numerous preseason All-America accolades during the summer. 

The semifinalists will be published on November 18, followed by a joint announcement with ESPN of the three finalists on November 24. The winner will be declared on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN in December, followed by the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner on January 27, 2027.

The Outland Trophy, celebrating its 81st year 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.