Master Teague Named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Ohio State sophomore running back Master Teague III was named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List on Thursday. The Wuerffel Trophy exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society, and inspire greater service in the world. It is named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel, who played quarterback for the Florida Gators.
Here is the full watch list for this year's award. The 114 players is a record since the award began releasing a watch list in 2015.
Teague came to Columbus as a 4-star prospect out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee's Blackman High School. He committed to the Scarlet and Gray over offers from Auburn, Clemson, Duke and others. Teague never burned his redshirt as a freshman, but he did play in four games. Last year, Teague rushed for 789 yards and four touchdowns as a back-up to J.K. Dobbins, who became the first Buckeye in program history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season. Remarkably, his 789 yards was seventh most in the league. He was named Third Team All-Big Ten after the season.
With Dobbins now in the NFL, Teague was expected to be the Buckeyes primary back this fall, but he suffered a serious Achilles injury on the first day of spring practice. While it's unclear how much time he will miss, there is optimism that he'll see the field at some point this season.
The Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935.
The National College Football Awards Association will roll out watch lists over a two week stretch for all of the major national awards. They include:
- July 13 - Bednarik Award (watch list includes Shaun Wade)
July 14 - Davey O'Brien Award (includes Justin Fields)
July 15 - Doak Walker Award
July 16 - Biletnikoff Award (includes Chris Olave)
July 17 - John Mackey Award (includes Luke Farrell)
July 20 - Butkus Award (includes Pete Werner, Tuf Borland and Baron Browning) and Paycom Jim Thorpe Award (includes Shaun Wade)
July 21 - Bronko Nagurski Trophy (includes Shaun Wade) and Outland Trophy (includes Wyatt Davis, Josh Myers and Thayer Munford)
July 22 - Lou Groza Award (includes Blake Haubeil) and Ray Guy Award (includes Drue Chrisman)
July 23 - Paul Hornung Award and Wuerffel Trophy
July 24 - Maxwell Award
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