Texas Tech University Athletics
Wilson named to Rimington Trophy watch list
August 06, 2026 | Football
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior Sheridan Wilson was named Thursday to the 2026 Rimington Trophy preseason watch list, announced by the Boomer Esiason Foundation. The annual award recognizes the nation's premier center in NCAA Division I football.
Wilson opens the year on the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the second consecutive season. The senior enters 2026 as one of Texas Tech's most experienced players with 27 consecutive starts at center over the past two years.
Working in conjunction with Pro Football Focus, the Rimington Trophy committee identified the nation's top 40 centers entering the 2026 season. The watch list was determined using both school nominations and Pro Football Focus' play-by-play grading system.
According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson did not allow a sack for the second consecutive season and surrendered only four pressures across 505 pass-blocking opportunities. He was one of only two Power Four conference centers to allow four or fewer pressures without giving up a sack, joining Florida State's Luke Petitbon.
Wilson also earned Pro Football Focus' highest pass-blocking grade among FBS centers with at least 500 offensive snaps, finishing with a career-best 90.9 grade.
About the Rimington Trophy
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football. Since its inception, the award has raised over $5 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Dave Rimington, the award's namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only two-time winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman. For more on the Rimington Trophy, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com.
The Rimington Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. It's one of 16 NCFAA members unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Wilson opens the year on the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the second consecutive season. The senior enters 2026 as one of Texas Tech's most experienced players with 27 consecutive starts at center over the past two years.
Working in conjunction with Pro Football Focus, the Rimington Trophy committee identified the nation's top 40 centers entering the 2026 season. The watch list was determined using both school nominations and Pro Football Focus' play-by-play grading system.
According to Pro Football Focus, Wilson did not allow a sack for the second consecutive season and surrendered only four pressures across 505 pass-blocking opportunities. He was one of only two Power Four conference centers to allow four or fewer pressures without giving up a sack, joining Florida State's Luke Petitbon.
Wilson also earned Pro Football Focus' highest pass-blocking grade among FBS centers with at least 500 offensive snaps, finishing with a career-best 90.9 grade.
About the Rimington Trophy
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in NCAA Division I College Football. Since its inception, the award has raised over $5 million for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Dave Rimington, the award's namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only two-time winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman. For more on the Rimington Trophy, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com.
The Rimington Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. It's one of 16 NCFAA members unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
- Fri., Aug. 7: Lou Groza Award
- Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
- Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
- Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
- Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
- Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
- Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
- Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
- Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
- Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
- Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
Players Mentioned
OL
/ FootballFriday, August 07
Thursday, August 06
Thursday, August 06
Thursday, August 06