It seems unjust.

Outside of kickers and punters, offensive linemen are the most anonymous, least-heralded players in football.

Yet the one major college award at the position, the Outland Trophy, is open to defensive tackles as well as guards, centers and offensive tackles. That’s hardly fair.

Thankfully, the Rimington Trophy came into existence in 2000, finally giving offensive linemen (centers, specifically) an award it can call its own. In case you were wondering, the SEC is dominating the award.

RIMINGTON TROPHY WINNERS (SINCE ’00)

2004: Ben Wilkerson, LSU
2007: Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
2009: Maurkice Pouncey, Florida
2012: Barrett Jones, Alabama
2014: Reese Dismukes, Auburn

But, pending an NFL draft miracle with Dismukes — and considering Al Davis is no longer with us, that’s highly unlikely — only Pouncey got drafted in the first round or made a Pro Bowl.

(How many casual fans outside of Auburn, Ala., know that Dismukes won the award last season?)

Three of the four SEC offensive tackles who have won the Outland Trophy, by contrast, have been drafted in the first round a few months later. Jones, the only exception, returned to the Tide the next season and played center (see above).

Players like LSU’s Glenn Dorsey, Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh and Pitt’s Aaron Donald — have impinged on the offensive line parade in the last decade. Granted, there’s a case to be made they were the three most dominant, disruptive lineman in all of college football at any position in that time.

Because of that level of competition, winning an Outland Trophy, among football minds, carries weight. Maybe not quite Heisman Trophy-level credentials, but its winner sometimes performs as well or better.

SEC OL OUTLAND TROPHY WINNERS (SINCE ’46)

1958: G Zeke Smith, Auburn
1999: OT Chris Samuels, Alabama
2008: OT Andre Smith, Alabama
2011: OT Barrett Jones, Alabama
2012: OT Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

The bottom line is that it’s very, very difficult for the conference’s offensive linemen to get recognition beyond All-SEC and All-American teams. But if a player wins the Rimington Trophy or even becomes a finalist for the Outland Trophy, he’s put together a remarkable season.

The SEC has claimed three offensive tackles as Outland Trophy winners since ’08, marking the best and most valuable stretch at the position in conference history.

Can Cam Robinson add to Alabama’s award-winning legacy at the position before his career is over? Or can Ole Miss left tackle Laremy Tunsil recover from a broken leg to challenge for the award in 2015? Either way, players like that deserve our respect as much as Nick Chubb or Dak Prescott.