Marshall University Athletics
Jalen Slappy Named To 2026 Outland Trophy Watch List
8/4/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
2026 consensus Preseason All-SBC First Team selection one of 68 FBS interior linemen recognized nationally
2026 Marshall Football Tickets
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall senior offensive lineman Jalen Slappy has been named to the 2026 Outland Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America announced on Tuesday.
The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the best interior lineman in college football on both sides of the ball.
Slappy is one of only 68 returning standout interior linemen named to the preseason watch list.
"Jalen has been a consistent force on the offensive line for us and is a known leader within our locker room," Marshall head coach Tony Gibson said. "He's played all along the offensive line for us and he's a big part of the success of our offense – whether running behind him or his protection for our quarterback. We are excited for him to be recognized as one of the nation's best going into the season."
Slappy is in his fifth season with the Thundering Herd and has started 25 straight games along Marshall's offensive front, playing both guard and tackle.
He was chosen in the preseason as a First Team All-Sun Belt offensive lineman by Phil Steele Publications, Athlon Sports and the Sun Belt Coaches.
In his last two years as a starter, Marshall's offense finished in the top-25 in rushing offense (18th in 2024, 22nd in 2025). Last season, Marshall also finished 10th in FBS in sack yardage allowed (82 yards lost through 12 games).
The FWAA will announce its Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 18 before a joint announcement with ESPN on the three finalists for the award on Nov. 24.
The 81st Outland Trophy winner is chosen from those finalists who will be part of the annual FWAA All-America Team and will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show 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. 27, 2027.
About The Outland Trophy
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.
The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935.
Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates.
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