Watch Lists: Cowboy Linebackers, Offensive Linemen Included on Preseason Watch Lists

If it wasn’t obvious that football is almost here by the fact that the Cowboys’ fall camp starts Wednesday, it should be all the more obvious with the amount of watch lists dropping this week.

After Ollie Gordon was honored on the Maxwell Award’s preseason watch list on Monday, four more Cowboys appeared on lists that dropped Tuesday.

Martin, Oliver Named to Nagurski Watch List

Oklahoma State linebacker Nick Martin and edge rusher Collin Oliver were each named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The award is given to the best defensive player in college football.

OSU was one of only 15 teams to have multiple players on the Nagurski’s list, which ran 75 players deep.

A redshirt junior, Martin led the Big 12 in tackles last season with 140 — the most of any Cowboy since 1984. That garnered him an All-Big 12 First Team selection in his first season as a starter.

Oliver started his career as a defensive end before moving to linebacker last season, but at Big 12 media days he said neither of those titles truly encapsulate what he is.

“Edge rusher — edge,” Oliver said. “They like edge. I got told I need to be saying I’m an edge rusher, so edge.”

Whatever he is, he enters his senior season having recorded 130 tackles, 38.5 tackles for loss and 22.5 sacks. The move to linebacker last season saw him set a career-high in tackles with 73, and his 15.5 tackles for loss matched his freshman season. He also forced four fumbles last season after entering the year with one in his career.

Finalists for the Nagurski will be announced Nov. 20, and the award will be handed out Dec. 9.

Michalski, Cooper Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

The big guys are getting some love, too, as offensive linemen Joe Michalski and Dalton Cooper were named to the Outland Trophy’s preseason watch list. The award is given to the best interior lineman in college football.

Only nine programs had multiple players on this preseason watch list, which also had 75 players on it.

Michalski led all Power Five players with 1,035 offensive snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. In all of those snaps, Michalski didn’t allow a sack and gave up just two quarterback hits. He was one of two FBS players with at least 600 pass snaps without giving up a sack.

Cooper had the highest PFF grade among OSU’s O-linemen in 2024 — his first year with the program. Primarily playing as OSU’s left tackle, Cooper gave up just three sacks on 576 snaps while pass blocking.

Combined, the pair helped pave the way for Gordon to lead the nation in rushing and win the Doak Walker, as the Cowboys went 10-4 and made an appearance in the Big 12 title game.

Semifinalists for the Outland will be named Nov. 20 and finalists will come Nov. 26. The winner will be announced at the College Football Awards Show on Dec. 12.