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California Golden Bears center Addison Ooms is in the running to be the best center in college football. Ooms was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list!
Ooms is the only returning starter to Cal’s offensive line (following the sudden departure of Dwayne Wallace this offseason), earning the Bob Tessler Award for most improved lineman on the team. Ooms and Patrick Mekari are the only two offensive linemen returning for Cal with significant playing experience, leaving the Bears with one of the least experienced lines in college football.
With Ooms at center, Cal had perhaps its best offensive line performance in years. Here’s hoping his steady leadership in the middle can keep Cal steady this season.
Addison is the third Cal Bear to get preseason watch list honors, joining Ray Davison (for the Good Works team for outstanding work in the community) and Ray Hudson (for the John Mackey Award for best tight end in college football).
Ooms is Cal's only returning offensive player to have started all 12 games in 2016 when he earned the Bob Tessier Award as the team's Most Improved Lineman as a sophomore center. He is also one of only two offensive linemen returning in 2017 with starting experience from a 2016 Cal offense that ranked among the nation's leaders in several categories including passing offense (4th, 358.80 ypg) and total offense (10th, 513.2 ypg) while establishing single-season school records for pass completions (383), first downs by penalty (35), fewest fumbles lost (3) and fewest turnovers (15).
Ooms is the first Cal player on the Rimington Trophy Watch List since current Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack was a finalist for the second consecutive season in 2008.