PROVO -- The Football Writers Association of America has named junior offensive lineman Jake Kuresa to the 2005 Outland Trophy Watch List, recognizing him as one of the top-36 lineman in the country.
"Jake has a lot of potential," offensive line coach Jeff Grimes said. "His work ethic has improved over the past year, and as long he continues to work hard and make progress, I expect him to have a great year."
Kuresa has been a mainstay in the Cougar offensive line since his redshirt-freshman season in 2003. That year he started all 12 games and saw action at both guard and tackle, earning offensive lineman-of-the-game honors four times. As a sophomore in 2004, Kuresa started all 11 games and helped anchor a BYU offense that averaged 24.3 points, 105.8 yards rushing and 279.5 yards passing per game. Along with his nomination to the Outland Trophy Watch List, Kuresa is a 2005 Preseason Mountain West All-Conference selection and a Street & Smith's Preseason honorable mention All-American.
The Millville, Utah native came to BYU as one of the top-five defensive lineman prospects in the nation after leading Mountain Crest High School to the Utah State Championship as a senior and earning first-team all-state honors twice. He made the switch to offensive tackle during his redshirt season in 2002.
The Outland Trophy has been awarded since 1946. The winner is selected by the FWAA's All-America Committee, which picks three finalists from the association's 25-man team.
The 2005 Outland Trophy winner will be announced Dec. 8 in Orlando, Fla., on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. Former Outland Trophy winner Ron Yary (1967) from USC will make the announcement.
Kuresa joins two other Cougars under consideration for major individual awards. Junior linebacker Cameron Jensen is on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, which is awarded to the nation's top defensive player, while senior offensive lineman Lance Reynolds is a Rimington Trophy candidate, awarded to the nation's top center. It is anticipated that senior wide receiver Todd Watkins--a preseason All-American--will be named to the Biletnikoff watch list, given to the nation's top receiver.
For more information on the Outland Trophy visit the official website at www.outlandtrophy.com or click here.
Offensive Line
6-5, 330, Jr.
Millville, UT / Mountain Crest HS
At BYU
JUNIOR - (2005): Selected as a preseason candidate for the 2005 Outland Trophy ... a 2005 Preseason Mountain West All-Conference selection ... a Street & Smith's Preseason Honorable Mention All-American ... named preseason first-team All-Mountain West by Lindy's Football Annuals, Street & Smith's and Blue Ribbon Yearbook/ESPN.com ... named preseason second-team All-MWC by Phil Steele's College Football Preview College Football Preview and Athlon Sports ... named the league's "best pass blocker" by Lindy's Football Annuals ... named one of the nation's top offensive tackles by Phil Steele's College Football Preview.
SOPHOMORE - (2004): Earned letterman honors as a sophomore ... started all 11 games for the Cougars at right tackle ... helped anchor an offensive unit that averaged 24.3 points, 105.8 yards rushing and 279.5 yards passing per game ... entered the season as the starter at right tackle ... participated in spring drills.
FRESHMAN - (2003): Earned letterman honors as a redshirt freshman ... started in all 12 games for the Cougars ... saw action at both guard and tackle ... provided pass protection for the BYU offense which racked up a game-high 359 total net yards, including 313 yards passing against third-ranked USC ... named Offensive Lineman of the game ... started in his first-ever game in the Cougars' 24-13 victory over Georgia Tech ... praised by coaches for his first collegiate performance at guard ... earned Offensive Lineman of the game honors for the Stanford game Wyoming and Notre Dame ... participated in spring drills.
REDSHIRT - (2002): Moved to offensive tackle from defensive tackle after teammate Ben Archibald was lost for the season prior to the season-opener ... redshirted as a true freshman.
Before BYU
A four-year letterwinner ... listed as a top-five defensive line prospect in the nation ... the 13th ranked player in the Midland region by Superprep Magazine ... led Mountain Crest to a state championship as a senior ... twice earned All-State First-Team honors ... a three time all-region selection ... earned Student Sports Magazine All-American honors as a junior and senior ... listed as a Rivals.com top-100 prospect ... earned PrepStar Magazine All-America honors ... a three time All-Cache Valley selection ... a four-year letterwinner in basketball ... earned all-region honors as a junior in basketball ... recruited by USC, Oregon, Washington, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, UCLA, Arizona, Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Penn State, and Miami.
Personal
A native of Millville, Utah ... parents are David and Susanne Kuresa ... listed on the Honor Roll at Mountain Crest HS.