Arkansas senior offensive lineman Fernando Carmona has been named to the 2025 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, according to an announcement by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) on Tuesday.
The Outland Trophy, established in 1946 and named after John H. Outland, is given each year to the top interior lineman in college football. Only players who play on the interior line, either offense or defense, are eligible for this award; ends and edge rushers do not qualify.
Carmona played a key role for Arkansas during the 2024 season, starting all 13 games. He contributed to an offense that averaged 459.5 yards per game, ranking tenth nationally. The team’s passing attack also ranked eighteenth in the country with an average of 274.7 yards per game. Over the course of the season, Arkansas accumulated a total of 5,973 yards—fourth-most in program history—and achieved two of its top ten single-game yardage totals.
Carmona helped lead Arkansas to a notable performance against Mississippi State on October 26 with 673 total yards (314 passing and 359 rushing), allowing no sacks during a 58-25 win. He was also part of the effort that produced 687 total yards in a season-opening victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Among those selected for this year’s watch list, Carmona is one of ten offensive linemen from SEC programs.
According to FWAA procedures, six or seven semifinalists will be announced at a reception in Omaha on November 19. From there, three finalists will be named on November 25 on ESPN before voting determines the winner as part of the annual FWAA All-America Team selection process.
Arkansas is scheduled to begin fall camp Thursday with their first practice set for Friday morning. The Razorbacks open their season at home against Alabama A&M on August 30 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium; kickoff is scheduled for 3:15 p.m., and coverage will air on SEC Network.
For information about tickets for Arkansas football games, fans can contact the Razorback Ticket Center by phone or online.
