University of Kentucky senior Matt Smith has been named to the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which annually honors the best center in college football.

Smith, a Louisville native who was also on the Rimington watch list last season, has played in 29 games in his career with 22 starts.

In 2011, Smith missed the first two games because of injury but bounced back strong with nine starts. Two years ago, Smith helped anchor a UK offensive line that ranked in the top 25 in the nation in fewest quarterback sacks allowed.

Smith was one of 51 players named to the watch list Tuesday, including one of 10 from the Southeastern Conference.

The award is named for Dave Rimington, a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and '82.