Notre Dame Football: Liam Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer make Outland Trophy watch list

Notre Dame football players Liam Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer have found themselves on the watch list for the Outland Trophy.

The watch lists keep coming out and Notre Dame football players continue to garner national recognition. This time, it’s the Irish lineman getting some rare glory, as left tackle Liam Eichenberg and right guard Tommy Kraemer find themselves on the watch list for the Outland Trophy. The award goes to the best interior lineman–either on the offensive or defensive side of the football–in college football.

For Eichenberg, it’s another indication that his stock continues to rise, as he’s garnered some attention from scouts in NFL Mock Drafts. Entering into his second season replaced Mike McGlinchey as the starter at left tackle, Eichenberg has been mocked in the first round of some mock drafts. He certainly will be key to Notre Dame’s success on offense as the Irish offense looks to build upon a successful season last year.

For Kraemer, this recognition comes after his first year as a full-time starter on Notre Dame’s offensive line, as well. As Notre Dame’s right guard, Kraemer had an up-and-down season for the Irish last year, as he moved inside to guard after rotating at tackle the year before.

By all accounts, Kraemer has been meticulous about his offseason strength and conditioning, in an effort to improve his agility and his ability to block in space. Expect to see Kraemer pulling and trapping and leading Irish backs down the field quite a bit this season.

It seems, however, that the Irish had at least one snub for this watch list. Robert Hainsey–who split time with Kraemer at right tackle two years ago before becoming the full-time starter last season–was left off the watch list. Hainsey battled a lower leg injury most of last season and is poised for an eye-opening season at right tackle.