April 18, 2008

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech senior offensive lineman Louis Vasquez (Corsicana, Texas) has been named to the preseason Outland Trophy Watch List, announced today by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). The award is presented annually at the conclusion of the regular season to the nation's top interior lineman.

A legitimate All-America candidate and professional prospect, Vasquez is entering his third year as a starter up front. He has started 21-consecutive games at left guard and returns for his senior season in which he will anchor an experienced and extremely talented offensive line. Vasquez earned first-team All-Big 12 honors from the Dallas Morning News, San Antonio Express-News and Associated Press following a 2007 season that saw him start all 13 games without allowing a sack in 650 pass attempts. He also graded out at over 90 percent in each game as a junior and, in a true testament to his technique, he was flagged for holding just once the entire season.

The Outland Trophy has been awarded to the best interior lineman in college football since 1946. The winner is selected by the FWAA's All-America Committee, which selects the association's 25-man All-America team and picks the three Outland Trophy finalists and the winner.