Din-Mbuh, Taylor-Whitfield Named to Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List
8/4/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
The two interior linemen recognized as standouts entering the 2026 season
DALLAS – After being key contributors on the TCU front in 2025, Ansel Din-Mbuh and Ben Taylor-Whitfield were named to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Outland Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced on Tuesday.
The watch list recognizes 68 returning standout interior lineman and features 14 players from the Big 12 conference.
TCU's offensive representation on the list, Taylor-Whitfield has developed into a dependable and versatile offensive lineman in his three seasons at TCU. Last year, he started all 13 games at the tackle position, playing 891 offensive snaps while being a critical piece of an offense that rushed for at least 100 yards in nine games.
Din-Mbuh was a force on the interior of the defensive line in his first season at TCU. The Washington State transfer immediately established himself as a key contributor, starting 12 games while totaling 24 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two sacks and two QB hurries.
The FWAA will announce the Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 18, and those players will then be pared down to three finalists announced on Nov. 24. The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from those finalists who will be part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends and edge rushers are not eligible.
Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. For a third year now, the FWAA will announce an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week's honored player will be added at that time.
TCU PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Ansel Din-Mbuh – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee, Outland Trophy Watch List
Jamel Johnson – All-Big 12 Team, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watchlist
Ben Taylor-Whitfield – Outland Trophy Watch List
The watch list recognizes 68 returning standout interior lineman and features 14 players from the Big 12 conference.
TCU's offensive representation on the list, Taylor-Whitfield has developed into a dependable and versatile offensive lineman in his three seasons at TCU. Last year, he started all 13 games at the tackle position, playing 891 offensive snaps while being a critical piece of an offense that rushed for at least 100 yards in nine games.
Din-Mbuh was a force on the interior of the defensive line in his first season at TCU. The Washington State transfer immediately established himself as a key contributor, starting 12 games while totaling 24 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, two sacks and two QB hurries.
The FWAA will announce the Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 18, and those players will then be pared down to three finalists announced on Nov. 24. The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from those finalists who will be part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends and edge rushers are not eligible.
Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. For a third year now, the FWAA will announce an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week's honored player will be added at that time.
TCU PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Ansel Din-Mbuh – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee, Outland Trophy Watch List
Jamel Johnson – All-Big 12 Team, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watchlist
Ben Taylor-Whitfield – Outland Trophy Watch List
Players Mentioned
Thursday, July 30
Wednesday, July 29
Tuesday, July 28
Tuesday, April 28
