Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant was named to the watch list for both awards. Cornerback A.J. Harris joined Durant on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award for the nation's best defensive player. Durant is joined by Olaivavega Ioane on the Outland Trophy list, honoring the nation's best interior lineman on offense or defense.

The Clemson Tigers were the only ACC school to place more than one player on the list. Out of 60 total players named to the Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list, Clemson had three returning starters selected: defensive linemen T.J. Parker and Peter Woods, and cornerback Avieon Terrell.

Ole Miss football junior linebacker Suntarine Perkins has been named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, as announced by the Football Writers Association of America on Tuesday morning.