Wyoming senior offensive guard Chase Roullier was recognized as one of the top returning interior linemen in the nation by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) on Friday as the FWAA announced its 2016 Outland Trophy Watch List.  The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman.

Roullier has been a mainstay for the Cowboy Football team the past three seasons.  He earned Second Team All-Mountain West Conference honors as a junior in 2015 in voting by conference head coaches and media.  Roullier has started 28 career games, including the last 27 consecutive. 

He played a key role in blocking for record-setting Cowboy running back Brian Hill in 2015.  Hill finished the 2015 season ranked No. 8 in the nation in average rushing yards per game (135.9), No. 9 in total rushing yards (1,631) and No. 13 in average all-purpose yards per game (146.9).  Hill set a new University of Wyoming single-season rushing record, with his 1,631 yards.

Only interior linemen on offense (centers, guards and tackles) and defense (tackles and nose tackles) are eligible for the Outland Trophy.  The 2016 Outland Trophy Watch List released Friday included 70 players.  Of the 70 preseason candidates, 22 were offensive tackles, 20 offensive guards, 17 defensive tackles and 11 centers.  The award is named for the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn at the turn of the 20th century.  Additional candidates may be added to the watch list during the season.

On Thursday, Nov. 17, the watch list will be narrowed to six or seven semifinalists and on Tuesday, Nov. 22 three finalists will be named by the FWAA.  The 71st Outland Trophy will be presented to this year’s recipient on ESPN on The Home Depot College Football Awards, Thursday, Dec. 8.  On Jan. 11, 2017, the Outland Trophy presentation banquet, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, will be held in Omaha, Neb.