Ikem Ekwonu Is An Outland Trophy Finalist

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Outland Trophy – the prestigious award given each year to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman – has named the Wolfpack's Ikem Ekwonu as one of three finalists for 2021.

Ekwonu joins Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis and center Tyler Linderbaum of Iowa as a finalist after a season that has seen him ranked as the top run blocker in college football by Pro Football Focus.

The third-year player has tallied a team-leading 63 pancake blocks and 18 knockdowns for the Wolfpack. A two-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week this season, Ekwonu has allowed just one sack from his left tackle position in 755 snaps this season and has consistently been the high-grader on the Wolfpack offensive line. He was named a midseason All-American by AP, The Athletic, ESPN and The Sporting News.

The recipient of the 2021 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Thurs., Dec. 9. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 12, 2022.