Three K-State players on preseason award watch lists

Three more Kansas State football players were chosen to watch lists for national awards on Thursday.

This time, offensive linemen B.J. Finney and Cody Whitehair, and defensive end Ryan Mueller were nominated for separate awards by the Football Writers Association of America.

Finney and Whitehair are candidates for the Outland Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s top interior lineman. Mueller is a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player.

It marks the second consecutive season in which Finney is a candidate for the Outland Trophy. He’s also up for the Rimington Award, given annually to the nation’s top center. K-State is one of four teams to place multiple linemen on the Outland Trophy watch list.

Mueller is a first-time candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, but the nomination is his third preseason honor. He is also a candidate for the Bednarik Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Other K-State players who have made preseason watch lists include kicker Jack Cantele (Lou Groza Trophy), receiver Tyler Lockett (Paul Hornung Award) and quarterback Jake Waters (Maxwell Award).

UPDATE (11 a.m. July 14): Mueller, Finney and Whitehair were chosen to the preseason watch list for the Lombardi Award, given to college football’s top lineman, including linebackers.

This story was originally published July 10, 2014 at 12:51 PM with the headline "Three K-State players on preseason award watch lists."