By Habari Sports
Missouri offensive tackle Cayden Green earned Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honors after a dominant blocking performance helped the Tigers defeat No. 8 Florida 45–17 during the weekend of Oct. 3.
The Football Writers Association of America selected Green after he allowed no sacks, quarterback hits, or pressures across Missouri’s 33 pass attempts, according to the association’s release.
The Tigers finished with 220 rushing yards and 560 total yards, securing their first regular-season victory over a top-10 opponent since 2013.
Green Helps Missouri Take Control
The 6-foot-5, 324-pound senior from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, received an 89% game grade from the Tigers’ coaching staff.
His performance continued a season-long stretch in which he had not surrendered a sack or quarterback hit from his position, according to the FWAA.
With Green helping protect the pocket, quarterback Austin Simmons completed 23 of 30 passes for 340 yards. Simmons threw two first-half touchdown passes as Missouri took control with 35 unanswered points during the middle quarters.
Green’s recognition highlights the offensive line’s contribution to a victory in which the Tigers produced through both the passing and running games.
A Veteran Presence on the Tigers’ Offensive Line
According to the release, Green is a three-year starter on Missouri’s offensive line and is in his second season starting at left tackle.
At the time of the announcement, Missouri was tied for fourth in the Southeastern Conference in sacks allowed per game at 1.20, with six surrendered overall. That average also placed the Tigers in a tie for 33rd nationally.
Green became the second Missouri player to receive the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honor. Guard Dominick Giudice earned the recognition during the second week of the 2025 season.
Green was already included on the award’s preseason watch list. Weekly honorees who are not on the list are added during the season.
Missouri has never had an Outland Trophy winner or finalist, according to the FWAA.
Outland Trophy Selection Dates Set
The FWAA is scheduled to announce the 2026 Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 18, followed by three finalists on Nov. 24.
The winner will be announced Dec. 11 during ESPN’s live broadcast of The Home Depot College Football Awards. The official trophy presentation is scheduled for Jan. 27, 2027, at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner in Omaha, Nebraska, sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee.
The award recognizes college football’s top interior lineman on offense or defense. Offensive tackles such as Green are eligible; defensive ends and edge rushers are not.
The FWAA All-America Committee selects the finalists following input from the association’s membership. The winner is chosen by individual committee ballots from finalists who are members of the annual FWAA All-America Team.
Established in 1946, the Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award. It was created through a contribution from Dr. John Outland, a former University of Pennsylvania All-American who believed linemen deserved greater recognition.
For Green, the weekly honor recognizes a performance that helped Missouri’s offense deliver a decisive win over a highly ranked opponent.
Source: Football Writers Association of America news release supplied to Habari Entertainment.
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