Charlotte 49ers redshirt senior center Jaelin Fisher is on the 2020 Outland Trophy preseason watch list, recognizing 85 standout interior linemen representing all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents. This is the 75th anniversary season for the Outland Trophy, and the watch list presents a diverse field of players to accompany the return of 2019 Outland Trophy winner, offensive tackle Penei Sewell of Oregon.
Fisher anchored an offensive line that led Conference USA and ranked 30th in the nation in rushing with a school FBS record 203.0 yards per game, last year. In addition, the offensive line allowed just 1.62 sacks per game, tied for 32nd-fewest in the nation. Thanks to the strong rushing attack, led by first team all-C-USA running back Benny LeMay, Charlotte ranked 25th in the FBS with a time of possession of 31:59. In addition, Charlotte scored on 88.4 percent of its red zone possessions to tie for 35th in the nation. Fisher and the offensive line helped LeMay notch a school-record seven 100-yard rushing games, rank second in C-USA and 24th in the nation with a 98.4 rushing average and lead C-USA with 120.4 all-purpose yards. The 49ers offensive line was the only C-USA unit to earn a spot on the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll. The Moore Award is presented to the nation’s top offensive line.
Fisher, who started 12 games, last year, was on the watch list for the 2019 Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s top center. When Charlotte played at top-ranked Clemson, Fisher was given the honor of wearing the program’s no. 49 jersey. He was the 49ers starting center in Charlotte's first-ever bowl game: the 2019 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2018, Fisher started all 12 games as the offensive line helped produce the league’s fifth-best rushing attack. LeMay notched his first of two straight 1000-yard rushing seasons with a school FBS record of 1,228 yards as Charlotte boasted four 200-yd rushing games.
The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award and is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935.