Vincent Taylor named to 2016 Outland Trophy preseason watch list

Redshirt junior defensive tackle Vincent Taylor was named to the preseason watch list for the 2016 Outland Trophy.

The nation's best interior linemen are on the @OutlandTrophy Watch List https://t.co/MyT1vS5iPd #CFBWatchMe pic.twitter.com/e9wz2gc8wR

— Outland Trophy (@outlandtrophy) July 8, 2016

The award is given to "the most outstanding offensive or defensive interior lineman."

If the sophomore turned heads in the 2015 spring practice, he proved himself in the fall. Taylor finished second behind only Emmanuel Ogbah in tackles from a defensive lineman at Oklahoma State (48) to go along with 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Taylor's emergence has been one of the biggest reasons for optimism for Glenn Spencer's group. He and others like senior Motekiai Maile and sophomore Darrion Daniels will be looked to shore up the middle as Spencer works in replacements at both defensive end spots.

If you haven't seen this before, here's a great piece OSU did on Tayor and his experiences during Hurricane Katrina. The type of stuff that puts sports into perspective.