/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49633237/GettyImages-496142966.0.jpg)
Illinois' Joe Spencer was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List on Tuesday. The 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive lineman is one of 57 preseason candidates for the honor, which is awarded annually to the nation's top center. Spencer, a senior, has made 26 starts at center during his career with the Fighting Illini, including all 12 games during the 2015 season.
The @rimingtontrophy has eyes on @IlliniJoe71 | #Illini
— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) May 17, 2016
" https://t.co/SjXC0mbYs6 pic.twitter.com/HGmB4TL0GJ
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the Most Outstanding Center in NCAA Division I-A College Football. The award is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. Since its inception, the Rimington Trophy has raised over $2.6 million for the cystic fibrosis community.
In addition to Spencer, Sean Welsh (Iowa), Brendan Moore (Maryland), Mason Cole (Michigan), Dylan Utter (Nebraska), Michael Deiter (Wisconsin) also represent the Big Ten Conference on the preliminary list. You can view all 57 players right here.