:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57688631/usa_today_10391415.0.jpg)
The regular season in college football is rapidly coming to an end, and one of the better stories this year has been the turnaround for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Irish, once the most popular internet meme of the offseason because of a 4-8 record, are currently 9-2 with a good chance to be 10-2 and go to a major bowl game.
Good seasons don’t just come out of nowhere, and it’s usually because a few players have risen to the top at their position in college football. Offensive Lineman Quenton Nelson and RoverDrue Tranquill are two of those players.
Nelson was named a finalist for the Outland Trophy.
@BigQ56 has been named a finalist for the 2017 Outland Trophy.#GoIrish ☘️ pic.twitter.com/a2r8LLxEWE
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 20, 2017
Drue Tranquill was named a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy.
@DTranquill has been named a finalist for the 2017 Wuerffel Trophy. #GoIrish ☘️ pic.twitter.com/ulgqEPrxvH
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) November 20, 2017
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best college football interior lineman in the United States as adjudged by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland.
The Wuerffel Trophy is an award given annually to the college football player "who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement." It is named after former Florida quarterback, Danny Wuerrfel.
The awards will be announced LIVE on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 7 pm eastern time.
Notre Dame running back, Josh Adams, was not a finalist for the Doak Walker Award.