Texas Tech University Athletics
Hunter lands on Outland Trophy watch list
July 29, 2025 | Football
DALLAS – Senior defensive tackle Lee Hunter was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Outland Trophy on Tuesday, the Football Writers Association of America announced. The Outland Trophy is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman by the FWAA, which can be on the offensive or defensive side of the ball.Â
The FWAA recognized 50 interior linemen overall, representing nine of the FBS conferences and Independents. There are 16 offensive tackles, 15 guards and nine centers on this year's list, joining 10 defensive tackles.
The Big Ten and the Southeastern Conferences each have 11 representatives. The Big 12 is just behind with 10. Beyond the 32 players from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12, continues with seven players from the ACC, four from the American, two each from the Mountain West, Sun Belt, and Notre Dame, and one selection from Conference USA.
Hunter, who arrived at Texas Tech this past spring, began his collegiate career at Auburn (2021) before playing the last three seasons at UCF (2022-24). He developed into one of the top interior defensive linemen during his career as a Knight. He played in 38 career games for the Knights, accumulating 131 tackles (66 solo), 21.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks over three seasons.
The FWAA will announce six or seven Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 19 at a reception in Omaha, and those players will then be pared down to three finalists announced on Nov. 25 on ESPN. The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from those 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 and edge rushers are not eligible.
The recipient of the 2025 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12. The official trophy 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 on Jan. 21, 2026 in Omaha, Neb.
Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. For a third year now, the FWAA will announce an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week's honored player will be added at that time.
NCFAA WATCH LISTS
The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a two-week-plus period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates.
The following is the 2025 preseason watch list calendar:
- TECH -
The FWAA recognized 50 interior linemen overall, representing nine of the FBS conferences and Independents. There are 16 offensive tackles, 15 guards and nine centers on this year's list, joining 10 defensive tackles.
The Big Ten and the Southeastern Conferences each have 11 representatives. The Big 12 is just behind with 10. Beyond the 32 players from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12, continues with seven players from the ACC, four from the American, two each from the Mountain West, Sun Belt, and Notre Dame, and one selection from Conference USA.
Hunter, who arrived at Texas Tech this past spring, began his collegiate career at Auburn (2021) before playing the last three seasons at UCF (2022-24). He developed into one of the top interior defensive linemen during his career as a Knight. He played in 38 career games for the Knights, accumulating 131 tackles (66 solo), 21.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks over three seasons.
The FWAA will announce six or seven Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 19 at a reception in Omaha, and those players will then be pared down to three finalists announced on Nov. 25 on ESPN. The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from those 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 and edge rushers are not eligible.
The recipient of the 2025 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Friday, Dec. 12. The official trophy 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 on Jan. 21, 2026 in Omaha, Neb.
Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. For a third year now, the FWAA will announce an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week's honored player will be added at that time.
NCFAA WATCH LISTS
The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a two-week-plus period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates.
The following is the 2025 preseason watch list calendar:
- Mon., July 28: Maxwell Award
- Tue., July 29: Outland Trophy/Bronko Nagurski Trophy
- Wed., July 30: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award/Butkus Award
- Thu., July 31: Paul Hornung Award/Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
- Fri., Aug. 1: Lou Groza Award/Ray Guy Award
- Mon., Aug. 4: Walter Camp Award
- Tue., Aug. 5: Doak Walker Award
- Wed., Aug. 6: Biletnikoff Award
- Thu., Aug. 7: Davey O'Brien Award
- Fri., Aug. 8: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
- Mon., Aug. 11: Bednarik Award
- TECH -
Players Mentioned
DL
/ FootballAJ Holmes Jr. Media Availability
Tuesday, October 21
Reggie Virgil Media Availability
Tuesday, October 21
John Curry Media Availability
Tuesday, October 21
Kenny Perry Media Availability
Tuesday, October 21