DALLAS — The Football Writers Association of America today named BYU center Bruce Mitchell and defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Outland Trophy.
Since 1946, the Outland Trophy has been awarded annually to the best college football interior lineman by the FWAA. The prestigious trophy is named after John H. Outland, one of only a few players ever to be named an All-American at two positions.
MITCHELL, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound senior from Kamas, Utah, was recently named Phil Steele Preseason All-America Second Team and Athlon Sports Preseason All-America Third Team. He was also named to the All-Big 12 Preseason Team and received Preseason All-Big 12 First Team recognition from Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
A co-captain, Mitchell started all 14 games for BYU as a junior in 2025. He anchored the middle of an offense line that averaged 31.4 points per game in 2025, ranking in the top 25 in 10 offensive statistics, including time of possession (No. 9), rushing first downs (No. 12), fewest sacks allowed (No. 12), rushing touchdowns (No. 13), rushing plays of 10+ yards (No. 18), total plays of 10+ yards (No. 19), first downs (No. 19), total offensive plays (No. 22), points scored (No. 23) and fewest interceptions (No. 23).
TANUVASA, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior from Mission Viejo, California, was a team captain and started all 14 games for BYU as a junior in 2025, receiving All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Tanuvasa totaled 25 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups and blocked a kick. He recorded a season-high four tackles against Stanford and Cincinnati, had sacks against Stanford and TCU, batted down passes against Utah, Iowa State and Texas Tech in the Big 12 Championship and blocked a kick against Georgia Tech in Pop-Tarts Bowl. His role in the middle of the defensive line was key to the team's overall defensive success.