USC Football: Toa Lobendahn Named To 2016 Rimington Trophy Watch List

USC football center Toa Lobendahn was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list Wednesday as a candidate to be college football’s top center in 2016.

Toa Lobendahn has yet to be named USC’s starting center for 2016, but that hasn’t stopped him from being named to the Rimington Trophy watch list.

The Rimington is awarded each year to the nation’s top center as determined by voting for All-American teams compiled by the Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News and Football Writers Association of America.

Lobendahn, who has started 20 games as a Trojan with two appearances at center, was named on the spring watch list for the award as well.

The versatile lineman has played nearly every position on the offensive line like his predecessor Max Tuerk, whose knee injury saw Lobendahn make his much-awaited move to center. Unfortunately, Lobendahn suffered a knee injury of his own after just two games and missed the remainder of the 2015 season.

USC could have arguably placed three centers on the watch list with the starting job still up in the air.

Khaliel Rodgers replaced Lobendahn in 2015 and was expected to battle to retain that top job. However, he is testing out a role on the defensive line this summer.

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Nico Falah converted from tackle to play center at the end of last season because injuries also knocked Rodgers out of the line up. As the only healthy center among the three potential starters, Falah spent the entire spring as the No. 1 at the position and got a headstart working with new offensive line coach Neil Callaway.

Though Falah and Rodgers will likely have a chance to win the job on merit, Lobendahn is still considered the most naturally talented of the group.

Lobendahn is one of just three Pac-12 players to make the watch list. Washington’s Coleman Shelton and Washington State’s Riley Sorenson also made the cut.

The next Trojan to win the Rimington Trophy will be the school’s first. The award is relatively new and USC has produced three finalists since it was first awarded in 2000 but neither Norm Katnik, Ryan Kalil or Khaled Holmes managed to take home the honor.