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West Virginia Offensive Tackle Wyatt Milum Named A Semifinalist For The Outland Trophy

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Football

West Virginia University senior offensive tackle Wyatt Milum has been named one of seven semifinalists for the Outland Trophy, as announced by the Football Writers Association of America.

Milum is one of four offensive linemen up for the award, along with a center and two defensive linemen. The Outland Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's best college interior lineman on offense or defense, with semifinalists selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

The other semifinalists include Kelvin Banks Jr. (OT/Texas), Will Campbell (OT/LSU), Mason Graham (DT/Michigan), Seth McLaughlin (C/Ohio State), Walter Nolan (DT/Ole Miss) and Addison West (OG/Western Michigan).

A native of Kenova, West Virginia, Milum has played in 45 games, started 41, and has been used on 2,794 snaps over his four-year career. This season, he has helped WVU rank No. 9 among Power 4 schools in rushing yards per game (197.2). WVU is the only FBS school with three players to have at least 525 rushing yards. In 2023, he helped the Mountaineer rushing attack claim the No. 1 spot among Power 4 schools, averaging 228.9 yards per game

Milum has not allowed a sack in 45 of the past 47 games, including not allowing any over the past two seasons. He was named the Mid-Season Outland Trophy Winner by PFF College and the Mid-Season Offensive Tackle of the Year by the CollegeFootballNetwork.

In 2024, Milum has not allowed a sack, a quarterback hurry and only five pressures. PFF College lists Milum as its No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation, grading out at 91.3. His 89.6 run-blocking grade is No. 2 and his pass-blocking grade (88.2) is No. 4. The offense has run for at least 140 rushing yards in 24 of its last 26 games since 2022.

West Virginia is tied for No. 7 nationally with 73 rushes gaining 10-plus yards, No. 10 with 109 missed tackles forced on runs, No. 12 with 1,394 rushing yards after contact and tied for No. 22 with 116 rushes gaining a first down.

Since 2023, Milum has a 90.1 PFF Grade (only Joe Alt – unanimous All-American and 2024 1st round draft pick and Taliese Fuaga – First Team All-American and 2024 1st round draft pick - had a higher grade among FBS OT's, 90.8 and 90.9, respectively). He is only of two FBS OTs (Joe Alt) since 2023 with an 85+ PFF Grade in pass-blocking (88.1) and run-blocking (85.1).

Dan Mozes, who played for the Mountaineers from 2003-06, is WVU's only Outland Trophy finalist (2006). He won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best center in that year.

The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from finalists who are a 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 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 semifinalists will be pared to three finalists on Tue., Nov. 26. The recipient of the 2024 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12. 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, Nebraska, on Jan. 22, 2025.