Wisconsin football: Cole Van Lanen on Outland Trophy watch list

Another day, another Wisconsin Badger making a preseason watch list.

Today, left tackle Cole Van Lanen got in on the action. The senior offensive lineman made the Outland Trophy preseason watch list.

The preseason list is comprised of 85 players from across the country that play either tackle, guard, or center along the offensive line. The list will be trimmed down during the season, with an eventual winner chosen at season end.

Of note, 2019 award winner Penei Sewell of Oregon was also present on the list, and is the projected favorite for the award in 2020.

Representing the Big Ten with Van Lanen were 11 other conference members.

Wisconsin has had two previous winners in the awards 75 year history, with Joe Thomas (2006) and Gabe Carimi (2010) each taking home the award.

Cole Van Lanen is one of the top returning offensive lineman in the country, and has played in 40 games with 14 starts during his career overall.

Now entering his senior season, Van Lanen will be tasked with anchoring the left side of the Wisconsin line for his third season after playing rotationally as a sophomore with Jon Dietzen, and as the full-time starter a year ago.

Thus far Jack Coan, Nakia Watson, Jake Ferguson, Jack Sanborn, and Eric Burrell have also appeared on various #WatchListSZN awards, and Van Lanen is very deserving of his inclusion for the Outland Trophy.