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Who: Avery Young
Size: 6-6 / 305
Year: Junior
Position: OL
Watch Lists: Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy
The Lombardi Award is given to "down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense." Young will be competing against his teammate LB Cassanova McKinzy. Auburn boasts two former winners of the Lombardi Award, Nick Fairley and Tracy Rocker, so he would be the first offensive lineman from Auburn to win.
Young is also one of 81 players named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List. Awarded to the nation's top interior lineman, Young will be competing with teammate Alex Kozan for the honor. Once again, the SEC dominates the list with 16 players represented.
Previous Performance
Young started every game in 2014, while bouncing between right guard, left guard and right tackle. He also started nine games for the 2013 SEC championship team.
Heading Into Pre-Season
As a third year sophomore, Young tested his draft stock after the 2014 season. A strong 2015 season could propel Young to the top of the draft board. With some uncertainty on OL after losing Chad Slade, Reese Dismukes and Patrick Miller, Young will need to help lead and galvanize the o-line in what is almost certainly his final campaign in an Auburn uniform.