Kansas State junior center B.J. Finney is one of 44 players nationally and three from the Big 12 Conference named to the 2013 Rimington Trophy Spring Watch List, the award committee has announced.
Finney, a native of Andale, is a former walk-on who has turned into a team leader for the Wildcats. Last season, he was a First Team All-Big 12 pick and a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy which honors the nation’s top walk-on. The two-time team captain has started all 26 career games, including the last 25 at center heading into his junior campaign.
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the Most Outstanding Center in NCAA Division I-A College Football. Since its inception, the Rimington Trophy has raised over $2 million. The 14-year old award is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and has raised over $100 million for CF Research.
Dave Rimington, the award’s namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy’s only double winner as the nation’s finest college interior lineman. For more on the Rimington Trophy and a list of past recipients, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com
Other Big 12 centers on the list include Texas’ Dominic Espinosa and Oklahoma’s Gabe Ikard.
The Wildcats return 41 lettermen from last year’s 11-2 Big 12 Championship squad which is led by 2011 and 2012 Big 12 and National Coach of the Year Bill Snyder, who is in his 22nd season overall at Kansas State.
Kansas State returns 11 starters in 2013, while a total of 18 returners have earned starts during their Wildcat career. The Wildcats return nine players from 2012 that earned midseason or postseason All-Big 12 honors from various media outlets, including returning All-Americans Ty Zimmerman at safety and kick returner/wide receiver Tyler Lockett.
K-State opens the 2013 season and the new West Stadium Center August 30 with a primetime, nationally-televised home game on FOX Sports 1 against North Dakota State.
— KSU Sports Information —