Lincoln – Nebraska offensive linemen Jake Long and Jeremiah Sirles were honored Thursday, as they were named to the Outland Trophy Watch List. Both players were on the 75-player watch list that goes to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman by the Football Writers of America.

Long has been the anchor of the Huskers’ offensive line for the past two seasons. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder has started the past 27 games for the Huskers at offensive guard. He has played a major role in the Huskers being ranked in the top 15 nationally in rushing in each of the past two years. As a junior, he started all 14 games, helping NU to a 10-4 mark and an appearance in the Big Ten Championship game. He was a unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selection and garnered second-team All-America honors from the AP and Walter Camp Foundation, becoming the first Husker All-American lineman since 2001.

Sirles has been a two-year starter at offensive tackle for the Huskers and enters his senior season with 40 career games played. As a junior, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound tackle enjoyed his best season, starting all 14 games at right tackles and earning second-team honors from both the Big Ten coaches and media. He helped a pair of Huskers rush for over 1,000 yards, while Nebraska led the Big Ten in total offensive and rushing offense.

Long and Sirles were two of the 10 players from the Big Ten on the list. The winner of the 2013 Outland Trophy will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 12, and will be honored in Omaha on Jan. 9, 2014. The Husker football program has produced a nation-leading nine Outland Trophy winners, including Ndamukong Suh in 2009.