CSTV: Cal's Mebane Selected for Watch Lists for Outland and Lott Trophies

Senior Defensive Tackle Adds Two More Preseason Honors  

June 19, 2006

BERKELEY - University of California senior defensive tackle Brandon Mebane has been selected to the preseason Watch Lists for the Outland Trophy and The Lott Trophy, it was announced on Monday. Three California players - Mebane, Daymeion Hughes and Marshawn Lynch - have been placed on preseason watch lists for five different awards.  The Outland Trophy has been awarded to the best offensive or defensive lineman in college football since 1946. The winner is selected by the FWAA's All-America Committee, which selects the association's 25-man team and picks three Outland Trophy finalists. Mebane is one of fifty-four standout linemen from around the country who have been nominated for consideration in the preseason.

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its third year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and Master Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.  Mebane joins teammate Daymeion Hughes on The Lott Trophy list. Hughes was tabbed earlier in the year.  Hughes was a first-team all-league pick after recording 17 passes defended, including five interceptions. Lynch, meanwhile, rushed for 1,246 yards in less than 10 full games (due to injury) for the Bears, helping the team to its third straight bowl game.

Mebane battled double teams throughout 2005 to earn first-team All-Pac-10 honors. He has also been named a preseason All-American by three publications with The Sporting News, Athlon and Lindy's Football Annual placing the Los Angeles senior on their first-team All-America lists.

 

Cal Preseason Watch List Selections

Brandon Mebane - Outland Trophy, Lott Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronco Nagurski Trophy

Marshawn Lynch - Maxwell Award

Daymeion Hughes - Lott Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronco Nagurski Trophy

 

Cal Preseason All-Americans (first team unless noted)

Brandon Mebane - The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Lindy's Football Annual Marshawn Lynch - The Sporting News, Lindy's Football Annual, Athlon Sports (second team) Daymeion Hughes - Playboy Magazine, Blue Ribbon Defense, Lindy's Football Annual (second team), The Sporting News (second team)

 

Cal Preseason Top 10 Rankings

No. 7 ESPN.com (post-spring)

No. 8 SI.com (post-spring)

No. 8 Athlon Sports (preseason)

No. 9 Lindy's (preseason)

 

California is coming off an 8-4 season that included a win in the Pioneer PureVision Las Vegas Bowl. The Bears ended the 2005 season ranked No. 25 in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls. Cal opens the 2006 season on the road, playing at Tennessee on Sept. 2. The home opener for the Golden Bears is Sept. 9 against Minnesota.