University of Minnesota offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery was named to the 2024 Outland Trophy watch list today by the Football Writers Association of America.

The Outland Trophy, celebrating 79 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award and is given to the best interior lineman in college football.

The 6-6, 330-pound Ersery is one of 75 individuals on the list and he is one of 13 Big Ten players to be recognized.

Ersery, who is in his fifth season at Minnesota has played in 28 career games for the Gophers. The former three-star recruit has flourished in Maroon and Gold. Ersery did not start playing football until his sophomore year in high school and now has developed into one of the best players in the nation.

He started the last 26 games for the Gophers at left tackle and was named All-Big Ten Second Team in 2023 after being recognized as All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2022.

In 2023, Ersery started all 13 games at left tackle and according to PFF, he allowed just two sacks and 15 total pressures in 841 snaps on offense. He was the Big Ten’s top-graded lineman at 84.0. That grade also ranked fifth among FBS tackles and seventh for all offensive linemen. Ersery also led the Big Ten, was third among FBS tackles and fourth overall along the o-line with a run block grade of 86.2.

According to PFF, Ersery is college football’s best returning run-blocker and is PFF’s highest graded returning left tackle.

Ersery and Minnesota open the season against North Carolina at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29 at Huntington Bank Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally by FOX and can be heard on the Gopher Radio Network.

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