Oregon Ducks Center Jackson Powers-Johnson Named Finalist For Rimington Trophy

LUBBOCK, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 09: Jackson Powers-Johnson #58 of the Oregon Ducks lines up over the ball during the second half of the game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on September 09, 2023 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

750 THE GAME STAFF

Via Oregon Athletics press release:

Powers-Johnson Named Rimington Trophy Finalist

NEW YORK — Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson was announced as one of three finalists for the 2023 Rimington Trophy on Monday morning by the Rimington Trophy Committee. The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding center in college football.

Powers-Johnson is joined by Drake Nugent (Michigan) and Sedrick Van Pran (Georgia) as finalists for the award. He becomes the third Duck to be named a Rimington Trophy finalist, joining Hroniss Grasu (2013 & 2014) and Max Unger (2008).

In his first year as Oregon’s starting center, Powers-Johnson has helped the Ducks lead the nation in fewest sacks allowed (5) for the second season in a row. UO is also tied for fourth nationally in fewest tackles for loss allowed (42), and is the nation’s highest-graded pass-blocking team by Pro Football Focus at 91.3.

Powers-Johnson leads all FBS centers in pass-blocking grade (91.3), overall grade (83.2) and run-blocking grade (83.1) by PFF. He has allowed just one total pressure in 471 pass-blocking opportunities, and has not given up a sack.

The Draper, Utah, native was twice named the Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week during the regular season, and he was a three-time winner of the Joe Moore Award Pancake of the Week. Oregon’s offensive line is one of 12 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s top O-line unit.

With Powers-Johnson at center, Oregon ranks second nationally in scoring offense (44.2 PPG), total offense (526.6 YPG) and passing offense (342.8 YPG), while ranking third in yards per rush (5.86). UO leads the country with 26.5 first downs per game, and is the only FBS team to score at least 30 points in every game this season.