The Football Writers Association of American announced its annual 2018 Outland Trophy preseason watch list, highlighting 82 interior offensive and defensive linemen across the nation, and included Arkansas left guard Hjalte Froholdt.

In its 73rd year, the Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman in the country. Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver is the returning winner and made the watch list once again this season. Along with Froholdt, 10 other members of the Southeastern Conference are on the list, good enough for second-most, tying them with the Pac-12 and the Big 12. The Big Ten and the ACC lead FBS with 13 selections each. Offensive tackle is the position with the most nominees with 22, followed by defensive tackles (20), centers (20) and offensive guards (20).



Froholdt, a senior offensive guard from Svendborg (Den.), landed on the media’s preseason All-SEC second team offense this past week. In his second full season on the offensive line as a junior in 2017, Froholdt all 12 games at left guard. Though 389 snaps of pass protection, Froholdt didn’t allow a single sack and only gave up two quarterback hits and nine hurries. He finished the year as the No. 9 overall graded lineman in the SEC and the No. 2 graded guard. After last year, Froholdt was named first team All-SEC by Pro Football Focus and third team by Phil Steele.



This season, Froholdt is the main leader on the offensive front with the departure of center Frank Ragnow to the NFL. As a preseason candidate for the Outland Trophy and the veteran of the line, Froholdt accepts the responsibility on his shoulders and is looking forward to leading his teammates to success on the field.



“I think it’s just those veteran guys actually know what it takes to win. We’ve won before. We know how to win. We know what it takes, and I think being able to translate that to the younger guys and making them buy into it, making sure I would rather give up all my individual accolades for a championship for the team. And if you’re willing to give up for the team and look over your own ego, that’s only going to show positive results,” Froholdt said during SEC Media Days.

The Outland Trophy, the third-oldest major college football honor, is named for Dr. John Outland, a former All-American at the University of Pennsylvania and financial contributor to the award. To be a finalist for the award, you must be one of the three final nominees chosen from the 26-man FWAA All-American team, voted on in the postseason. The winner of the prestigious trophy will be announced by former University of Wisconsin and Cleveland Browns standout lineman Joe Thomas. Thomas will give the award out during the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 6 in Atlanta (Ga.).

