Michalski, Cooper Included on Outland Trophy Watch List
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State offensive linemen Joe Michalski and Dalton Cooper were both named to the watch list for the 2024 Outland Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America announced Tuesday.
The Cowboys were one of nine FBS programs with multiple offensive linemen included on the list, which recognized 75 total student-athletes. Michalski and Cooper were also part of nine honorees from the Big 12, as Cincinnati matched Oklahoma State with two selections for most in the conference.
Combining for 27 starts throughout the 2023 season, Michalski and Cooper led an offensive line that saw Ollie Gordon II lead the nation in rushing yards, win the Doak Walker Award and receive unanimous All-America honors. Additionally, the Cowboy offensive line ranked seventh in the FBS in sacks allowed per game and were top 15 in tackles for loss allowed per game.
Michalski enters the 2024 season as one of the most experienced players in the country, leading all Power Five players with 1,035 offensive snaps played last year and starting every game on Oklahoma State’s 2023 schedule. He also received honorable mention honors for Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and was one of just two FBS players to play more than 600 pass blocking snaps without allowing a sack.
Meanwhile, Cooper leads the team with 49 career FBS starts and earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in 2023. According to Pro Football Focus, he had the highest overall offensive grade on Oklahoma State’s offensive line for the season and ranked fifth among Big 12 tackles in run blocking grades.
Linebackers Nick Martin and Collin Oliver were named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list on Tuesday, in addition to Gordon’s recognition for the Maxwell Award the day before.
The FWAA will announce the Outland Trophy semifinalists on November 20, and those players will then be paired down to three finalists on November 26. The recipient of the trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12 with the official presentation being made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner in Omaha, Neb., on January 22, 2025.