Banks, Eichenberg, Patterson Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — University of Notre Dame offensive linemen senior Aaron Banks, graduate student Liam Eichenberg and junior Jarrett Patterson have been selected to the 2020 Outland Trophy Watch List, honoring the nation’s top interior lineman. 

All three linemen started each game of 2019 at their respective positions, and the entire line was also named to the 2019 Joe Moore Award Midseason Watch List. As a group in 2019, the line helped the Irish rank 13th nationally in scoring offense and 11th in sacks allowed. 

Banks saw action in all games played in 2018 and 2019, starting 19 of the 26. He allowed just two sacks on 844 total snaps in 2019, and had his top PFF grade of the season in the Camping World Bowl victory over Iowa State (81.9 overall, 86.8 pass block). 

Eichenberg completed his second season of starting all 13 games in 2019, not conceding a sack on the year and allowing just three QB hits and nine hurries, while playing 845 snaps (496 pass plays). He posted the top pass-blocking grade (85.6) and run-blocking grade (78.8) on the team’s offensive line according to Pro Football Focus. In 2018, he allowed just three sacks on 939 snaps. 

Patterson made his first career start in the 2019 season opener, and started every matchup since at center. In 2019, he ranked among the nation’s top-20 centers per Pro Football Focus with an offensive grade of 74.2. Patterson did not allow a sack, and conceded just two QB hits on 854 offensive snaps played.