Cougars Oliver Wins Outland Trophy

Written by Ryan Musich

HOUSTON, Texas—Houston Cougars defensive lineman Ed Oliver went through a season with many ups and downs in 2017. From being named Preseason All-American to the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey, to playing on the same college team as his brother, to getting injured, to his team playing in the Hawaii Bowl, etc.

Thursday night added another up to Oliver’s season as he was awarded the Outland Trophy (The best college football interior lineman in the country). Oliver was also a Nagurski finalist as well this season.

This season, Oliver led UH in tackles for loss (14.5), sacks (5.5), quarterback hurries (7), forced fumbles (2) and blocked kicks (1). He also had three pass breakups and one fumble recovery on the year.

Coming out of Westfield High School here in Houston, Oliver was a five-star recruit. His brother Marcus was a three-star recruit coming out of Westfield High School as well. Oliver touched on playing with Marcus when we interviewed him. “There was no way I was going to play football without playing with my brother. Me and my brother are almost twins. We’re very family oriented”.

Oliver, who has at least one season left before he can declare for the NFL Draft, talked about if he expected NFL teams to be scouting him after only two years, Oliver replied, “I knew I was a five-star coming out, and I knew if I did what I was supposed to do at Houston, they would be wanting me”.

Ed Oliver has caused havoc on the field this season, and will surely cause more havoc when Houston faces off against the Fresno State Bulldogs on December 24th in Halawa, Hawaii at the Hawaii Bowl.