Boston College center Andy Gallik has been named to the 2014 Rimington Trophy spring watch list, awarded annually to the best center in college football.
Gallik, a 6-foot-3, 299-pound product of Evergreen Park, Ill., earned All-Atlantic Coast Conference third-team honors as a junior last fall. Gallik blocked for running back Andre Williams, Boston College's career and single-season record holder who was a finalist for the Heisman Memorial Trophy and recipient of the Doak Walker Award (nation's premier running back) last fall. Williams became the 16th player in Football Bowl Subdivision history to rush for more than 2,000 yards and achieved the fifth-highest rushing statistical season in the history of college football in 2013 (2,177 yards).
Gallik has served as the team's starting center for each of the last three seasons.
While over half (63) of the 125 programs in the Football Bowl Subdivision were so honored, still a fine distinction nonetheless. In the award's 14 year history, five other Eagles have been named to the Rimington Trophy watch list. Gallik joins Matt Tennant (2009), Kevin Sheridan (2007), Patrick Ross (2005) and Dan Koppen (2001 and 2002) as centers repping O-Line U on the Rimington Trophy watch list.
From the ACC, Austin Barron (Florida State), Shane McDermott (Miami), Ryan Norton (Clemson), Artie Rowell (Pittsburgh) Matt Skura (Duke) and Jake Smith (Louisville) were similarly honored.
Named after Dave Rimington, a center at the University of Nebraska from 1979 to 1982, the award serves as a fundraiser for the Boomer Esiason Foundation's fight against cystic fibrosis; a cause that hits close to campus.
The full list of Rimington Trophy nominees can be found here.