BYU Football Center James Empey Named To 2021 Outland Trophy Watch List

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Football Writers Association of America announced that BYU center James Empey was named to the watch list for the 2021 Outland Trophy.

The preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy was released on Tuesday, July 27.

The award is given annually to the top interior lineman in college football.

Empey was one of 80 lineman named to the Outland Trophy’s watch list for the 2021 season.

Another watchlist for @JEmpey66!! 💪 pic.twitter.com/4KNMVNK1JM

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) July 27, 2021

This is the second consecutive preseason in which Empey has been named to the honor’s watch list.

The list included 26 offensive tackles, 26 guards, 16 centers and 13 defensive tackles.

Last season, Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood won the Outland Trophy. In 2019, former Desert Hills High School and Oregon Ducks standout Penei Sewell took home the honor.

Eighty standout interior linemen named to 2021 Outland Trophy Watch List by @TheFWAA. https://t.co/AxpcVLWMA0 pic.twitter.com/mnB8StiTvv

— Outland Trophy (@outlandtrophy) July 27, 2021

Empey has started in all 34 games played during his BYU career.

In 2020, Empey was an anchor for the Cougars’ offense and helped lead the team to an 11-1 record.

BYU opens its 2021 campaign against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, September 4. The contest will be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The game is slated to kick-off at 8:30 p.m. (MDT) and will broadcast on ESPN.