A pair of Alabama seniors capped the first week of preseason watch list announcements by landing on two teams of their own.

Redshirt senior center Ross Pierschbacher was one of 58 centers named to the Rimington Trophy watch list, which is presented to the nation’s top college center. The Rimington Trophy Committee accepted nominations from programs that submitted their current starting centers for consideration, so if you haven’t already, pencil Pierschbacher in as Alabama’s starting center.

Senior tight end Hale Hentges was one of 64 tight ends named to the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. The 2018 Mackey Award recipient will be announced on Dec. 5 and then presented live on Dec. 6 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show on ESPNU.

Coming off a first-team All-SEC season at left guard, Pierschbacher helped anchor an offensive line that ranked second in the league and 13th nationally in rushing with 250.6 yards per game, while also ranking second in the SEC and 15th nationally in scoring offense (37.1 ppg).

The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native played 762 snaps last year and is the 10th-best returning player for the 2018 Crimson Tide team, in terms of season-long Pro Football Focus grades at 77.6.

Making the move to center this spring, Pierschbacher has fully embraced his position change.

“I’m really trying to be a student of the center position,” Pierschbacher said. “I’ve been watching a lot of extra film, watching NFL tape of centers and former (Alabama) centers -- Bradley Bozeman, Ryan Kelly, all those guys who I played with -- watching their games.”

Hentges is entering his fourth season as a starter at Alabama, and although he has been used more as a blocking tight end, he has gradually seen his production increase over his career. As a junior in 2017, he played in every game and made 13 starts. Hentges totaled seven receptions for 75 yards and three touchdowns, more than doubling his career total for touchdowns.

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No Crimson Tide player has ever won the John Mackey Award, although O.J. Howard was one of three finalists last year. However, two Alabama players have brought home the Rimington Trophy in Barrett Jones, who won it in 2012, and Ryan Kelly, who won it in 2015.

Alabama players on 2018 preseason watch lists:

Maxwell Award -- Damien Harris, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa

Chuck Bednarik Award -- Raekwon Davis, Anfernee Jennings, Mack Wilson

Lott IMPACT Trophy -- Anfernee Jennings

Davey O’Brien Award -- Jalen Hurts

Doak Walker Award -- Damien Harris

Rimington Trophy -- Ross Pierschbacher

John Mackey Award -- Hale Hentges

Contact Charlie Potter by 247Sports' personal messaging or on Twitter (@Charlie_Potter).