Marshall Offensive Lineman Clint Van Horn Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

Clint Van Horn's journey with Marshall football has been a work in progress.  Van Horn arrived at Marshall as a walk-on grayshirt before playing himself into a scholarship. Last season, Van Horn was an All-Conference USA first team selection and was voted by the Herd coaches the team's Offensive Gridiron Gladiator award, given to a player who displays 100-percent effort at all times.

As college football preseason watch lists continue to recognize the nations best players, Van Horn found himself a member of the Outland Trophy watch list given to the nation's best interior lineman.

Van Horn was one of 81 names on the list including one of three from CUSA.

Marshall averaged 559.2 yards of total offense a game last season with Van Horn on the front line, second only to nationally ranked Baylor (581.5). The Herd ranked No. 8 in rushing offense and No. 18 in passing offense. Marshall and Oregon were the only teams ranked in the Top 20 in both categories last season.

Last season, Van Horn (1035) was second on the team only to center Chris Jasperse (1042) for most snaps played and led the team with 92 knockdowns. Van Horn played every offensive snap in the Herd's final four games of the season.

In his junior season, Van Horn was named to the preseason Rotary Lombardi Award Watch list and was chosen by the league coaches as a preseason All-CUSA first team lineman.

John Outland, the award's namesake, was a two-time All-American for the Penn Quakers in 1897 and '98. Outland later coached at Franklin & Marshal College in 1900, Kansas in 1901 and Washburn University from 1904 to 1905. Outland was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 2001.

The award was established in 1946 and is in its 70^th year. Three finalists will be announced Nov. 24 with the winner being announced at the Greater Omaha Sports Committee Jan. 14, 2016 in Omaha, Neb.