A Notre Dame Fighting Irish player has won the Outland Trophy three times, including the first time the award was given to the nation’s best interior lineman in 1946.
That number should be four.
Quenton Nelson was the rightful winner of last year’s award, but the Football Writers Association of America gave it to Ed Oliver, then-junior defensive tackle of the Houston Cougars. Oliver had a great season, no doubt, and he must be considered the favorite to win this trophy again.
But Nelson...Nelson was a once-in-a generation talent.