North Carolina State University Athletics
Ekwonu Named Semifinalist for Outland Trophy
11/17/2021 8:00:00 PM | Football
OMAHA, NEB. - NC State offensive tackle Ikem "Ickey" Ekwonu, has been named to one of six semifinalists for the 2021 Outland Trophy, which is awarded annually to the nation's best college interior lineman on offense or defense.
Ekwonu has been ranked as the top run blocker in college football by Pro Football Focus and has tallied a team-leading 56 pancake blocks and 18 knockdowns for the Wolfpack. A two-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week this season, Ekwonu and the Wolfpack rank 19th nationally in passing offense at 291.1 yards per game - Â 11th among Power 5 schools.
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In 700 snaps this season, he has allowed just one sack from his left tackle position and has consistently been the high-grader on the Wolfpack offensive line. He was named a midseason All-American by AP, The Athletic, ESPN and The Sporting News.
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The All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selected the semifinalists from nominations by the entire membership. Joining Ekwonu in the field are defensive tackle Jordan Davis of Georgia, offensive tackle Darian Kinnard of Kentucky, center Tyler Linderbaum of Iowa, offensive tackle Evan Neal of Alabama and offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere of Ohio State.
N.C. State boasts two Outland Trophy semifinalists within the past four seasons, as center Garrett Bradbury – who went on to win the Rimington Trophy – was on the 2018 list. The Wolfpack's lone Outland Trophy winner was center Jim Ritcher in 1979.
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These six semifinalists will be pared to three finalists on Tues., Nov. 23 and the recipient of the 2021 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Thurs., Dec. 9. 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. 12, 2022.
Ekwonu has been ranked as the top run blocker in college football by Pro Football Focus and has tallied a team-leading 56 pancake blocks and 18 knockdowns for the Wolfpack. A two-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week this season, Ekwonu and the Wolfpack rank 19th nationally in passing offense at 291.1 yards per game - Â 11th among Power 5 schools.
Â
In 700 snaps this season, he has allowed just one sack from his left tackle position and has consistently been the high-grader on the Wolfpack offensive line. He was named a midseason All-American by AP, The Athletic, ESPN and The Sporting News.
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The All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selected the semifinalists from nominations by the entire membership. Joining Ekwonu in the field are defensive tackle Jordan Davis of Georgia, offensive tackle Darian Kinnard of Kentucky, center Tyler Linderbaum of Iowa, offensive tackle Evan Neal of Alabama and offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere of Ohio State.
N.C. State boasts two Outland Trophy semifinalists within the past four seasons, as center Garrett Bradbury – who went on to win the Rimington Trophy – was on the 2018 list. The Wolfpack's lone Outland Trophy winner was center Jim Ritcher in 1979.
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These six semifinalists will be pared to three finalists on Tues., Nov. 23 and the recipient of the 2021 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Thurs., Dec. 9. 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. 12, 2022.
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