University of Notre Dame senior Zeke Correll is among the nominees for the 2023 Rimington Award, given annually to the top center in college football. Correll, who started all 13 games at center for the Irish offensive line last season, has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to the team.
Correll played a crucial role in Notre Dame’s success last season, as the Irish averaged an impressive 4.6 yards per carry and amassed over 2,400 rushing yards with 25 touchdowns on the ground. Alongside his fellow linemen, Correll helped the team achieve seven games with over 200 yards rushing, including four games with over 260 yards.
The Rimington Trophy committee, in collaboration with Pro Football Focus (PFF), compiled a watchlist of the top 40 centers for this year’s award. PFF’s play-by-play grading system evaluates each player’s execution of their assigned tasks, providing valuable data to determine the most deserving candidates. Throughout the season, schools have the opportunity to nominate centers for consideration based on their in-season performances.
To select a winner, the Rimington Trophy committee looks to three All-America teams and their selection of centers. Even if centers are listed as guards or tackles on these teams, the committee considers any players primarily fulfilling the center position. The center with the most first-team votes will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, second-team votes come into play. If there is still a tie, the Rimington Trophy Committee, with input from Pro Football Focus, will make a final determination.
The Rimington Award is named after Dave Rimington, who was a two-time winner of the John Outland Trophy as the nation’s top college interior lineman during his time at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982.
Zeke Correll’s nomination for the Rimington Award is a testament to his exceptional skills and contributions to the Notre Dame football team. As the season progresses, Correll will aim to solidify his position as one of the top centers in the country and compete for the prestigious award.
