For the second consecutive year, UCF offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Outland Trophy, which is presented annually to the top interior lineman.
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 78 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
Pauole has made 35 career starts at UCF, starting all 14 games in 2022. He was a first-team American Athletic All-Conference selection by vote of league coaches, Phil Steele and Pro Football Network. He helped the Knights rank ninth nationally in rushing offense (228.3 per game), the fifth straight season UCF has averaged at least 196 rushing yards per game.
Hailing from Kapolei, Hawaii, Pauole helped the Knights rank 16th nationally in total offense with 469.5 yards per game and UCF was one of the nation’s four teams to surpass 650 yards in a game twice last season.
The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. 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. 10, 2024.