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Commodore Tackle Justin Geisinger Named to Outland Trophy Preseason List 6/29/2004
Commodore Tackle Justin Geisinger Named to Outland Trophy Preseason List
DALLAS (FWAA) — Vanderbilt senior offensive tackle Justin Geisinger has been named to the prestigious 2004 Outland Trophy Watch List for college football’s top linemen, according to the sponsoring Football Writers Association of America. Geisinger, a 6-4, 330-pound native of Pittsburgh, Pa., becomes the Commodores’ first preseason Outland Trophy candidate since Will Wolford was named in 1985. Geisinger, a three-year starter at left tackle, has garnered numerous preseason honors, including Third Team All-American and First Team All-Southeastern Conference recognition from Athlon’s college football publications. “I’m very happy for Justin. The Outland Trophy committee is recognizing a very deserving candidate,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Bobby Johnson said. “The best thing about Justin is his desire to get better. He is working extremely hard to improve this year.” Geisinger is a two-time captain for the Commodores, offers superb strength, mobility and technique in the critical line role of protecting the Vanderbilt quarterback’s blindside. A 600-pound bench presser in the weightroom, Geisinger has allowed just one quarterback sack in the last two seasons. The FWAA included 57 linemen, including six players from the SEC, to the Outland Trophy Watch List. The trophy, awarded last year to Iowa offensive tackle Robert Gallery, is presented to the top interior lineman in college football on either side of the ball — tackles, centers, guards — in a vote of the FWAA All-America Team Committee in late November. The prestigious trophy is the third oldest award in college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award. The 2004 Outland Trophy winner will be announced on Dec. 9 on the ESPN College Football Awards Show from Orlando, Fla. The Outland Trophy will be presented to the winner by the Omaha Sports Committee on Jan. 13 at a banquet in Omaha, Neb. |
