Norton Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List

CLEMSON, S.C. – Clemson junior center Ryan Norton has been named to the preseason Rimington Trophy Watch List for 2014.  The Rimington Trophy is awarded in honor of former Nebraska Center Dave Rimington and is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.

Norton is one of seven ACC centers on the list released Monday. He is joined by Andy Gallik of Boston College, Artie Rowell of Pittsburgh, Austin Barron of Florida State, Jake Smith of Louisville, Matt Skura of Duke and Shane McDermott of Miami (Fla.).

A native of Simpsonville, S.C. and graduate of Mauldin High School, Norton was Clemson’s starting center in all 13 games last year and played 841 snaps and had 28 knockdown blocks for the season. He was named ACC Co-Offensive Lineman-of-the-Week last year for his performance against No. 5 Georgia when he helped the Tigers to a 38-35 win.

Norton was a big reason Clemson was eighth in the nation in scoring with 40.2 points per game and 10th in total offense with an average of 508 yards per game. Clemson finished last season ranked No. 7 in the final USA Today poll with an 11-2 record.

Clemson has had two players listed as finalists for the award, which is in its 14th year. Kyle Young was one of five finalists in 2000 and 2001, while Dalton Freeman was one of six finalists in 2011 and 2012.