SMU OL named to Rimington trophy watch list

SMU's veteran offensive lineman Justin Osborne has earned a spot on the prestigious Rimington Trophy watch list, a testament to his exceptional performance and potential as one of the nation's top centers.

The Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the most exceptional center in NCAA Division I College Football, has unveiled its prestigious watch list for this year.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the trophy committee partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) to leverage data-driven insights for the selection process. PFF's meticulous grading system, evaluating every player's execution on every play of every game, empowered the committee to craft a watch list that seamlessly blends nominations with objective performance metrics.

Among the distinguished nominees stands Justin Osborne, a stalwart presence on the SMU Mustangs offensive line. Hailing from Flower Mound, Osborne has been an indispensable asset, starting an impressive 42 games throughout his four-year tenure.

A two-time all-conference honoree, Osborne's contributions in 2023 were pivotal in propelling the Mustangs' offensive line to a top-20 national ranking in scoring offense, sacks allowed, and total offense.

Justin Osborne has been named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List!#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/wmGj5dUN82
— SMU Football (@SMUFB) August 9, 2024

Osborne's stellar performance last season garnered him widespread acclaim, culminating in a first-team All-AAC selection and a coveted spot on the Dave Campbell's Texas Football (DCTF) All-Texas First Team.

The accolades have continued into the preseason, with Osborne earning recognition on the Outland Trophy watch list, DCTF All-Texas First Team, Phil Steele Preseason All-ACC First Team, and Athlon Sports Preseason All-ACC Second Team.

The Rimington Trophy watch list showcases a remarkable depth of talent, with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) leading the pack with 10 and nine athletes respectively.

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

Named in honor of Dave Rimington, a legendary two-time John Outland Trophy winner and consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska, the Rimington Trophy upholds a tradition of excellence.

The selection process involves a meticulous evaluation of the Walter Camp Foundation (WCF), Sporting News (SN), and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America teams.

The committee's discerning approach ensures that all players primarily playing the center position are considered, even if their listing on All-America teams may differ. The ultimate winner is determined through a combination of first-team votes, second-team votes, and, if necessary, a decisive vote by the esteemed Rimington Trophy Committee.

--Enjoy More SMU News from SMU on SI--

From Doak to Dickerson, 7 Mustangs who defined greatness

Former Mustang DL shines in NFL debut

SMU HC Rhett Lashlee announces six coaching staff title changes

A trio of SMU Mustangs earn a spot in College Football Networks Preseason All-America Honors

Can a favorable schedule lead to ACC glory for the Mustangs in 2024?

Add us as a preferred source on Google