NEW YORK-Friday, BYU junior center James Empey was named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List.

Empey is the only Utah-based college football student-athlete to be named to this list.

A three-time Rimington Trophy list honoree, the durable Empey has started all 34 games he has played in as a collegian for the Cougars.

The 6-4 303-pound former American Fork High School star served as one of BYU’s team captains last season during an 11-1 campaign which saw the Cougars end the season ranked No. 11 nationally.

The Cougars ranked No. 4 in scoring offense (43.5 points) nationally and No. 7 in passing offense (522.2 yards) in the country.

This award annually honors the best center in college football.