This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Tyler Larsen is on at least one preseason All-American team and is on the watch list for the nation's best center, so it's not a stretch to think he could be one of the best interior linemen in college football.
That's the basis for the latest watchlist Larsen appears on - the Outland Trophy.
The Football Writers Association of America have Larsen on the short list, which includes only 11 centers and four Mountain West players. Larsen will have to make the FWAA All-American team to get in the final running, but being in the elite group before the season has even started says a lot about his career so far.
What has Larsen done? Just started 38 straight games and earned first-team all conference honors twice. Observers consider him the leader of an offensive line that returns all five starters this year, and he's carved pathways for three future NFL running backs in the last three seasons.
Now, the senior is looking for a season worthy of all his preseason designations that could put him alongside Aggies greats. Utah State's most famous football alum, Merlin Olsen, won the Outland Trophy in 1961.
Boise State's Charles Leno, Colorado State's Weston Richburg and Fresno State's Austin Wentworth were all named to the 75-man roster. BYU's Eathyn Manumaleuna was the other state representative on the list.
— Kyle Goonkgoon@sltrib.comTwitter: @kylegoon