Although he won't play due to an injury, senior center John Sullivan still will provide a major leadership role in his final home game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday vs. Duke.

John Sullivan Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

June 12, 2007

University of Notre Dame senior center John Sullivan has been named to the 2007 Outland Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America announced Tuesday. The award has been presented to the best interior lineman in college football since 1946.

Sullivan enters his fifth year at Notre Dame having started 33 of the last 37 contests for the Irish, including 21 consecutive games at center. The Old Greenwich, Conn. native was previously named to the Rimington Award Watch List (presented to the nation’s top center) and has not only opened holes for a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the last three seasons, but also protected a 3,000-yard passer in 2005 and 2006.

Sullivan was named a second-team preseason All-American by Phil Steele while Athlon Sports tabbed him a third-team preseason All-American. NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper rated Sullivan as the No. 1 senior center in the nation recently on ESPN.com.

The Outland Trophy has been awarded annually by the FWAA and the winner is selected by the FWAA’s All-America Committee. The 2007 Outland Trophy announcement will be on Dec. 6 in Orlando, Fla., on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The Outland Trophy presentation banquet, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, will be in January 2008 in Omaha, Neb.