Syracuse Orange center Jason Emerich has been selected to the 2016 Rimington Trophy Watch List. Emerich, a redshirt senior, played in every game last season at center and became the starter at that position Week 3 against Central Michigan.
Emerich is one of Syracuse's most experienced offensive linemen in a generally-inexperienced group, playing in 26 games and notching 12 starts in his career.
He is one of 62 centers named to the list. That's almost one center named out of every two FBS schools, so it's a little early to declare him the winner. Additionally, eleven other ACC centers were named.
It's worth noting that because there aren't many statistics kept for offensive linemen, Emerich's performance will also be judged based on other areas that his play impacts, such as sacks allowed or rushing yards. With a new offensive mentality under Dino Babers, it's likely that the Orange offense will increase production from last season. If that production is reflected statistically it could help Emerich in the hunt for the Rimington trophy.
The Rimington award was created in 2000, but it does have a solid list of winners in that short time span. Last year, it went to Alabama's center Ryan Kelly. The first ACC player to win was Bryan Stork of Florida State in 2013. Miami and Virginia Tech have also fielded Rimington winners while they were in the Big East.
The winner will be announced on December 5, the same weekend as most conference championship games. The winner is determined by the All-American teams selected by four groups: the American Football Coaches Association, the Walter Camp Foundation, The Sporting News, and the Football Writers Association of America.
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Syracuse Football: Jason Emerich Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List
The Rimington Trophy was started in 2000 to crown the nation's best center.