Sean Rawlings named to Rimington Trophy Watch List

Junior offensive lineman Sean Rawlings has been named to the fall watch list for the 2017 Rimington Trophy as announced on Tuesday. The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the nation’s top center in NCAA Division I-A football.

(Click here for the complete Fall 2017 Rimington Trophy Watch List.)

The trophy presentation will take place January 13, 2018 at The Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Rawlings’ inclusion on the list comes as a no-brainer for voters as the Madison, Miss. native also appeared on the watch list during this year’s spring practices. Rawlings’ versatility has enabled him to play both tackle and center for the Rebels. Over the last two seasons, he has competed in 21 games, starting in 15.

In 2016, the 6’5, 294-lb Rawlings started seven games at right tackle and one at center. In Rawlings’ freshman campaign, he started seven games at right tackle, helping the Rebels return to the Sugar Bowl for the first time since 1970.

Last season, Rawlings helped the Rebel offense average 464.3 yards and 32.6 points per game. In 2015, he was a part of an Ole Miss offensive line that helped shatter the majority of single-season records, including most total yards, points, touchdowns, and passing yards.

Depth on the O-line

With Rawlings, the Rebels return four of five starters from last season’s offensive line and several others who earned starts and played significant snaps. The only starter lost from last season was center Robert Conyers. Offensive linemen Rod Taylor, Javon Patterson, Jordan Sims, Greg Little, Alex Givens, and Daronte Bouldin all started games for Ole Miss last season.

In addition to a wealth of returning talent, the Rebels have additional depth for 2017 with redshirt freshmen from the highly rated 2016 recruiting class: Bryce Mathews, Royce Newman, Chandler Tuitt, Jack DeFoor and Eli Johnson. Newman, DeFoor and Johnson are all currently listed on Ole Miss’ two-deep chart.