.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football Trio Earn Recognition on National Award Preseason Watch Lists
8/4/2026 | Football
DALLAS – The Football Writers Association of America announced preseason watch lists for a pair of national awards on Tuesday, as Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles was selected to the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy lists, offensive guard Patrick Kutas to the watch list for the Outland Trophy, and linebacker Suntarine Perkins to the list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the best interior lineman in college football, while the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is given to the national defensive player of the year.
Echoles returns to Ole Miss for his third season following a 2025 campaign that saw the lineman earn all-conference and All-America honors. Starting all 15 games at defensive tackle, the junior collected 68 total tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Echoles was named the 2025 Sugar Bowl Defensive MVP after registering five tackles, two TFL, and two pass breakups against Georgia. He adds to his early 2026 resume which saw him recently earn a spot on the preseason all-SEC first team by the media.
Starting all 15 games for Ole Miss at offensive guard in 2025, Kutas helped keep one of the most explosive offenses in the country in motion, as the Rebels ranked second in the nation averaging over 489 yards per contest and 10th in scoring at 36.9 points per game. Kutas was recognized as the SEC co-offensive lineman of the week on September 27 and was named the 2025 Kent Hull Trophy winner as the top lineman in Mississippi. He adds Outland Trophy watch list to 2026 preseason accolades that includes a spot on the media's preseason all-SEC third team.
Preparing for his fourth year with the Rebels, Perkins comes off of a 2025 season where he finished second on the team in total tackles with 81, while adding 12.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries, six pass breakups, and an interception. A member of the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy a season ago, Perkins has already earned preseason honors for 2026 from the media members as he was selected to the preseason all-SEC second team.
Semifinalists for the Outland Trophy will be announced on November 18, with the three finalists being unveiled on November 24. The 81st recipient of the Outland Trophy will be announced as a part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10. The FWAA and Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 19, with the presentation of the award winner coming at a banquet on December 7.
Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance a season ago, the Ole Miss football team is set to kickoff the 2026 season on Sunday, September 6 against Louisville at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the best interior lineman in college football, while the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is given to the national defensive player of the year.
Echoles returns to Ole Miss for his third season following a 2025 campaign that saw the lineman earn all-conference and All-America honors. Starting all 15 games at defensive tackle, the junior collected 68 total tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Echoles was named the 2025 Sugar Bowl Defensive MVP after registering five tackles, two TFL, and two pass breakups against Georgia. He adds to his early 2026 resume which saw him recently earn a spot on the preseason all-SEC first team by the media.
Starting all 15 games for Ole Miss at offensive guard in 2025, Kutas helped keep one of the most explosive offenses in the country in motion, as the Rebels ranked second in the nation averaging over 489 yards per contest and 10th in scoring at 36.9 points per game. Kutas was recognized as the SEC co-offensive lineman of the week on September 27 and was named the 2025 Kent Hull Trophy winner as the top lineman in Mississippi. He adds Outland Trophy watch list to 2026 preseason accolades that includes a spot on the media's preseason all-SEC third team.
Preparing for his fourth year with the Rebels, Perkins comes off of a 2025 season where he finished second on the team in total tackles with 81, while adding 12.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries, six pass breakups, and an interception. A member of the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy a season ago, Perkins has already earned preseason honors for 2026 from the media members as he was selected to the preseason all-SEC second team.
Semifinalists for the Outland Trophy will be announced on November 18, with the three finalists being unveiled on November 24. The 81st recipient of the Outland Trophy will be announced as a part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10. The FWAA and Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 19, with the presentation of the award winner coming at a banquet on December 7.
Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance a season ago, the Ole Miss football team is set to kickoff the 2026 season on Sunday, September 6 against Louisville at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 22
Wednesday, July 22