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Memphis Has Reason To Cheer As Xavier Hill Gets Some Preseason Award Attention

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Football

University of Memphis offensive lineman Xavier Hill was named to the preseason watch list for the 2024 Outland Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced.

The preseason watch list features 75 returning standout interior linemen representing all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents. Hill is one of just five players within The American to be named to the preseason watch list.

Hill, a 2023 First Team All-AAC selection by Phil Steele, was a member of last season's 10-win squad that defeated Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, starting all 13 games during the season. The 6-foot-4, 318-pound Hill helped the Tigers rank sixth in the NCAA in scoring offense (39.4), 10th in passing offense (306.5), 14th in total offense (458.5) and 17th in team passing efficiency (154.79) and completion percentage (.667) in 2023.

The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12, 2024. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 22, 2025.

The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who will be part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.

The Outland Trophy, celebrating 79 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.