South Carolina football: Sadarius Hutcherson named to Outland Trophy watchlist

South Carolina football player Sadarius Hutcherson was one of 85 linemen named to the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist.

Redshirt senior Sadarius Hutcherson was named to the Outland Trophy preseason watchlist on Wednesday, becoming the third Gamecock in as many days to be honored with a preseason award nomination. Tight end Nick Muse was selected to the John Mackey Award watchlist while defensive back Israel Mukuamu earned Jim Thorpe Award recognition.

Hutcherson is one of 85 players to be selected for this prestigious award, which is given annually to the top interior lineman in college football, regardless of which side of the ball the player plays. Past winners include Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace, Joe Thomas, Glenn Dorsey, Ndamukong Suh, and Aaron Donald.

Last year’s winner, Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell, is returning to Eugene for his junior season. He will obviously be the front-runner to win the coveted award for a second straight time. Other names on the list include Clemson’s Jackson Carman and Tyler Davis, Missouri’s Kobie Whiteside, Alabama’s LaBryan Ray, and Tennessee’s Cade Mays and Trey Smith.

Hutcherson enters his fifth season in Columbia, and is the most experienced player on the Gamecock squad. He’s played in 35 total games, making 29 starts, including cracking the starting lineup in each of his last 26 appearances.

The Tennessee native played mostly at tackle last year, but he’s expected to slide back inside to guard in 2020. He was named second-team all-SEC according to Phil Steele’s recently released preseason projections.

Hutcherson was also recognized by Bruce Feldman as one of college football’s “freaks,” making it back-to-back seasons that the 6-4, 320-pounder has earned the honor. He’s one of the SEC’s strongest players, benching over 450 pounds and squatting more than 600. Feldman notes Hutcherson’s 31.5-inch vertical leap as his freakiest attribute. He came in at No. 36 on Feldman’s 50-player list.

Pro Football Focus rates Hutcherson as the ninth-best interior lineman in next season’s NFL draft class, emphasizing frame and versatility as the guard’s top strengths. He’ll have one final season in a Gamecock uniform before he’s off to begin a professional career.