Quarterback Taysom Hill, tight end Devin Mahina and center Edward Fusi were all named to preseason award watch lists for their respective positions on Tuesday.
Hill, currently on the Maxwell Award Watch List, has also been named to the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Quarterback Trophy Watch List, which recognizes the top performing quarterback in the country.
Hill joins teammates Jamaal Williams and Alani Fua on the CFPA watch list for top running back and linebacker.
“Hill played a significant role in BYU’s offensive efficiency last season,” said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. “BYU averaged 5.8 yards per play on offense — the team’s highest average since 2009.”
Mahina was named to the John Maceky Award Preseason Watch List, which recognizes the nation’s top performing tight end.
The senior from Ontario, Canada, was relatively quiet last season due to the new uptempo offensive scheme, focusing more on blocking and protection, while recording only seven receptions for 64 yards. But that apparently hasn’t stopped the nation from noticing him. This year Mahina hopes to see big production from the tight ends.
“Even if we just go off of spring practices, we’ve seen huge progress,” Mahina said during Football Media Day. “I think this year we are going to see big things from the entire team, and especially the tight ends.”
Fusi joined his teammates as a watch list candidate and was named to the Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List. He joins 66 players competing for the nation’s top center.
Fusi, a senior product from Corona, California, played in 10 games last season and started six.
Being added to the list will help increase the confidence of the offensive line, which, last year, while helping the team’s 10th ranked offense in 267.3 yards per game, was frequently criticized for poor pocket protection and passing difficulty.
BYU has six players on preseason watch lists, with more expected in the coming days.
