|
2012 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List
|
|
Player
|
|
Position
|
|
University
|
|
Player Highlights
|
|
Oday Aboushi
|
|
OT
|
|
Virginia
|
|
2nd team All-ACC in 2011, 20 career starts at left tackle (25 in
total)
|
|
Denicos Allen
|
|
LB
|
|
Michigan State
|
|
Finished 12th nationally with 11 sacks, 6th most in MSU single season
|
|
Jacolby Ashworth
|
|
OT
|
|
Houston
|
|
2nd team All-CUSA selection in 2011, 30 career starts
|
|
Jeremiah Attaochu
|
|
LB
|
|
Georgia Tech
|
|
Honorable mention All-ACC, tied for 6th in the ACC with 6 sacks in
2011
|
|
Alvin Bailey
|
|
C
|
|
Arkansas
|
|
Pre-season All-American candidate, 2nd team All-SEC (News - Alert)
|
|
Dion Bailey
|
|
LB
|
|
USC
|
|
Pac 12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, 2nd team Fr.
All-American
|
|
David Bakhtiari
|
|
OT
|
|
Colorado
|
|
Moves to left tackle after 2nd team All-Pac 12 season in 2011
|
|
Chris Barker
|
|
G
|
|
Nevada
|
|
2X 1st team All-WAC (News - Alert) selection, 40 career starts for the Wolf Pack
|
|
Mario Benavides
|
|
C
|
|
Louisville
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big East in 2011, missed final 3 games
|
|
Chris Borland
|
|
LB
|
|
Wisconsin
|
|
1st team All-Big 10 in 2011, finished with 143 tackles
|
|
Jonathan Bostic
|
|
LB
|
|
Florida
|
|
Led the Gators with 94 tackles on the season, 10 tackles for a loss
|
|
Arthur Brown
|
|
LB
|
|
Kansas State
|
|
1st team All-Big 12 and Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2011
|
|
Jonathan Brown
|
|
LB
|
|
Illinois
|
|
2nd team All-Big 10 (media), honorable mention All-Big 10 (coaches)
|
|
Travis Brown
|
|
LB
|
|
Fresno State
|
|
1st team All-WAC, led the Bulldogs with 85 tackles
|
|
Michael Buchanan (News - Alert)
|
|
DE
|
|
Illinois
|
|
2nd team All-Big 10, finished year with 13.5 tackles for a loss
|
|
Max Bullough
|
|
LB
|
|
Michigan State
|
|
3rd generation Spartan, 2nd team All-Big 10, led team with 89 tackles
|
|
Nick Carlson
|
|
C
|
|
Wyoming
|
|
2nd team All-MWC, 33 career starts
|
|
Braxston Cave
|
|
C
|
|
Notre Dame
|
|
The foundation of the Irish line, must overcome injuries from 2011
|
|
Michael Clay
|
|
LB
|
|
Oregon
|
|
Leading returning front seven tackler in the Pac-12 (102)
|
|
Jadeveon Clowney
|
|
DE
|
|
South Carolina
|
|
SEC Freshman of the Year, 2nd team All-SEC, 12 tackles for a loss
|
|
Jamie Collins
|
|
DE/LB
|
|
Southern Miss
|
|
Led the Golden Eagles in tackles (98) and had 19.5 TFL in 2011
|
|
Jonathan Cooper
|
|
G
|
|
North Carolina
|
|
Arguably the nation's #1 NFL guard prospect, 2nd team All-ACC last
year
|
|
Scott Crichton
|
|
DE
|
|
Oregon State
|
|
1st team Freshman All-American, tied for 2nd in Pac-12 with 14.5 TFL
|
|
Kenny Demens
|
|
LB
|
|
Michigan
|
|
Michigan's leading tackler in 2011 with 94
|
|
Aaron Donald
|
|
DE
|
|
Pitt
|
|
2nd in the Big East with 11 sacks, 2nd team All-Big East
|
|
Tyler Eifert
|
|
TE
|
|
Notre Dame
|
|
Thought by many to be the clear cut best tight end in the nation
|
|
Gavin Escobar
|
|
TE
|
|
San Diego State
|
|
1st team All-MWC in 2011, 2nd team All-MWC in 2010
|
|
Chris Faulk
|
|
OT
|
|
LSU
|
|
2nd team All-SEC in 2011 after moving from right to left tackle
|
|
Joseph Fauria
|
|
TE
|
|
UCLA
|
|
2nd leading receiver for the Bruins, 39 receptions and 6 TDs
|
|
Sharrif Floyd
|
|
DE
|
|
Florida
|
|
Highly talented lineman who has chance to star nationally in 2012
|
|
DJ Fluker
|
|
OT
|
|
Alabama
|
|
Emerging as Alabama's most talented OL, started all 13 games last
year
|
|
Blaize Foltz
|
|
G
|
|
TCU
|
|
1st team All-MWC after rebounding from 2010 season ending injury
|
|
Winston Fraser
|
|
LB
|
|
FIU
|
|
1st team All-Sun Belt, led the Golden Panthers with 108 tackles
|
|
Travis Frederick
|
|
C/G
|
|
Wisconsin
|
|
All-Big 10 candidate, Rimington Award Watch list in 2012
|
|
Dalton Freeman
|
|
C
|
|
Clemson
|
|
1st team All-ACC center, 22 career starts
|
|
Ben Gardner
|
|
DE
|
|
Stanford
|
|
2nd team All-Pac 12 playing opposite Thomas, had 10 TFL in 2011
|
|
James Gayle
|
|
DE
|
|
Virginia Tech
|
|
2nd team All-ACC, listed as Pre-season 1st team candidate for 2012
|
|
William Gholston
|
|
DE
|
|
Michigan State
|
|
Thought to be one of the top NFL prospects, 2nd team All-Big 10 last
year
|
|
Ryne Giddins
|
|
DE
|
|
USF
|
|
2nd team All-Big East, finished the season with 11 TFL and 5.5 sacks
|
|
Khaseem Greene
|
|
LB
|
|
Rutgers
|
|
Big East co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2011
|
|
Steve Greer
|
|
LB
|
|
Virginia
|
|
2nd team All-ACC, led the Wahoos with 103 tackles on the season
|
|
Ryan Griffin
|
|
TE
|
|
U Conn
|
|
1st team All-Big East last season
|
|
Jeremy Grove
|
|
LB
|
|
East Carolina
|
|
CUSA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, 122 tackles in 2011
|
|
Ben Habern
|
|
C
|
|
Oklahoma
|
|
Injuries cost him half of season, arguably best C in Big 12 when
healthy
|
|
Johnathan Hankins
|
|
DT
|
|
Ohio State
|
|
Pre-season All-American/Big 10, voted most outstanding OSU DL in 2011
|
|
Braden Hansen
|
|
G
|
|
BYU
|
|
Four year anchor of the BYU OL, 39 career starts in three years
|
|
Eric Herman
|
|
G
|
|
Ohio
|
|
2nd team All-MAC in 2011, has started 38 times in three years
|
|
Jordan Hicks
|
|
LB
|
|
Texas
|
|
Strong finish to 2011 season could catapult him to storied year in
2012
|
|
Jordan Hill
|
|
DT
|
|
Penn State
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 10, registered 8 tackles for a loss
|
|
Gerald Hodges
|
|
LB
|
|
Penn State
|
|
Pre-season All-American candidate and best player at Linebacker U
|
|
Khaled Holmes
|
|
C
|
|
USC
|
|
Three year starter at center, 2nd Team All-Pac 12 in 2011
|
|
Wes Horton
|
|
DE
|
|
USC
|
|
2nd team All-Pac 12 in 2011, 22 career starts
|
|
Margus Hunt
|
|
DE
|
|
SMU
|
|
Honorable Mention CUSA selection, blocked 4 kicks
|
|
Alex Hurst
|
|
OT
|
|
LSU
|
|
1st team All-SEC selection in 2011, started all 14 games
|
|
James Hurst
|
|
OT
|
|
North Carolina
|
|
2nd team All-ACC in 2011, graded out at 88% during the season
|
|
Gabe Ikard
|
|
G
|
|
Oklahoma
|
|
1st team All-Big 12 in 2011, Pre-season All-American candidate
|
|
Gabe Jackson
|
|
G
|
|
Mississippi State
|
|
2nd team All-SEC, 26 career starts
|
|
Andrew Jackson
|
|
LB
|
|
Western Kentucky
|
|
Sun Belt's returning leader with 17 tackles for a loss
|
|
Jackson Jeffcoat
|
|
DE
|
|
Texas
|
|
Led the Big 12 in TFL (21), 2nd team All-Big 12
|
|
Brandon Jenkins
|
|
DE
|
|
Florida State
|
|
2nd team All-ACC, 2nd in the ACC with 8 sacks (most for returning
player)
|
|
Jelani Jenkins
|
|
LB
|
|
Florida
|
|
Talented player who should vie for All-SEC & All-American honors
|
|
John Jenkins
|
|
NT
|
|
Georgia
|
|
Prototype 3-4 nose tackle who will push for All-SEC honors
|
|
Luke Joeckel
|
|
OT
|
|
Texas A&M
|
|
One of the nation's top prospects at the toughest position in
football
|
|
Nico Johnson
|
|
LB
|
|
Alabama
|
|
Key cog on one of nation's best defensive units in 2011, 43 tackles
|
|
Travis Johnson
|
|
DE
|
|
San Jose State
|
|
1st team All-WAC, 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss
|
|
Barrett Jones
|
|
C/G/T
|
|
Alabama
|
|
All-American, 1st team All-SEC and Outland Trophy winner in 2011
|
|
Chris Jones
|
|
DL
|
|
Bowling Green
|
|
1st team All-MAC in 2011, 3rd team All-MAC in 2010
|
|
Jarvis Jones
|
|
OLB
|
|
Georgia
|
|
Consensus 1st team All-American, Butkus Award finalist
|
|
Dion Jordan
|
|
DE
|
|
Oregon
|
|
1st team All-Pac 12 performer, finished 4th in conference with 7.5
sacks
|
|
Joe Kellogg
|
|
G
|
|
Boise State
|
|
2nd team All-MWC, three year starter for the Broncos, 21 career
starts
|
|
Zac Kerin
|
|
C
|
|
Toledo
|
|
2nd team All-MAC selection, started all 13 games as a sophomore
|
|
A.J. Klein
|
|
LB
|
|
Iowa State
|
|
Big 12's leading returning tackler (116), 1st team All-Big 12 last
season
|
|
Jake Knott
|
|
LB
|
|
Iowa State
|
|
4th in the Big 12 in tackles (115), 2X (News - Alert) 2nd team All-Big 12 honoree
|
|
Tyler Larsen
|
|
C
|
|
Utah State
|
|
1st team All-WAC offensive lineman selection in 2011
|
|
DeDe Lattimore
|
|
LB
|
|
USF
|
|
Led the Bulls with 94 tackles, tied for fifth in the conference
|
|
Corey Lemonier
|
|
DE
|
|
Auburn
|
|
Explosive edge rusher that led Auburn with 9.5 sacks in 2011
|
|
Taylor Lewan
|
|
OT
|
|
Michigan
|
|
2nd team All-Big 10, 22 career starts at left tackle
|
|
Shaun Lewis
|
|
LB
|
|
Oklahoma State
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 12, 61 tackles, 9.5 TFL and two
interceptions
|
|
Rob Lohr
|
|
DE/DT
|
|
Vanderbilt
|
|
Had 11.5 tackles for a loss last year, most of any returning SEC
player
|
|
Spencer Long
|
|
G
|
|
Nebraska
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 10 (coaches), started all 13 games at guard
|
|
Travis Long
|
|
DE/OLB
|
|
Washington State
|
|
One of three Cougars to receive post-season All-Pac 12 honors (2nd
team)
|
|
Star Lotulelei
|
|
DT
|
|
Utah
|
|
Thought to be the best nose tackle in college football, 9 TFL in 2011
|
|
Philip Lutzenkirchen
|
|
TE
|
|
Auburn
|
|
Has caught more TDs than any other tight end in Auburn history (14)
|
|
Khalil Mack
|
|
LB
|
|
Buffalo
|
|
1st team All-MAC selection, tied for the MAC lead with 20.5 TFL in
2011
|
|
Trent Mackey
|
|
LB
|
|
Tulane
|
|
2X 1st team All-CUSA selection, finished with 145 tackles in 2011
|
|
Joe Madsen
|
|
C
|
|
West Virginia
|
|
Anchors the middle for WVU offense that averaged nearly 38 ppg in
2011
|
|
Stansly Maponga
|
|
DE
|
|
TCU
|
|
1st team All-MWC, finished the year with 13.5 tackles for a loss
|
|
Zack Martin
|
|
OT
|
|
Notre Dame
|
|
Voted Notre Dame's outstanding offensive linemen the past two seasons
|
|
Jake Matthews
|
|
OT
|
|
Texas A&M
|
|
Establishing his own identity, teams with Joeckel to form best T
combo
|
|
Chris McDonald
|
|
G
|
|
Michigan State
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 10, has 26 career starts
|
|
Barkevious Mingo
|
|
DE
|
|
LSU
|
|
One half of, arguably, the best DE duo in nation, 15 tackles for a
loss
|
|
Sam Montgomery
|
|
DE
|
|
LSU
|
|
FWAA 1st team All-American selection, Hendricks Award finalist
|
|
Sio Moore
|
|
LB
|
|
U Conn
|
|
2nd team All-Big East, Big East's returning leader in TFL (16)
|
|
James Morris
|
|
LB
|
|
Iowa
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 10, tied for team lead in tackles with 110
|
|
Morgan Moses
|
|
OT
|
|
Virginia
|
|
Formidable OT duo in Charlottesville, first team All-ACC prospect in
2012
|
|
C.J. Mosley
|
|
LB
|
|
Alabama
|
|
Will vie for All-SEC honors, 36 tackles and two sacks in 2011
|
|
Jeff Nady
|
|
OT
|
|
Nevada
|
|
2nd team All-WAC as a junior, one of top tackles on West Coast
|
|
Corey Nelson
|
|
LB
|
|
Oklahoma
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 12, finished with 59 tackles and 8.5 TFL
|
|
Roosevelt Nix
|
|
DE
|
|
Kent State
|
|
37 tackles for a loss in two years, 1st team All-MAC selection in
2011
|
|
Alex Okafor
|
|
DE
|
|
Texas
|
|
Pre-season All-Big 12 and All-American candidate, 14 TFL in 2011
|
|
Kevin Pierre-Louis
|
|
LB
|
|
Boston College
|
|
Registered 74 tackles and six tackles for a loss for the Eagles last
year
|
|
Sean Porter
|
|
LB
|
|
Texas A&M
|
|
Disruptive edge player who was fifth in the Big 12 in 2011 with 17
TFL
|
|
Sean Progar
|
|
DE
|
|
Northern Illinois
|
|
2X Rotary Lombardi Award Watch lister, 11 TFL in 2011
|
|
Justin Pugh
|
|
OT
|
|
Syracuse
|
|
1st team All-Big East in 2011, 2nd team All-Big East in 2010
|
|
Hayes Pullard
|
|
LB
|
|
USC
|
|
Freshman All-American, tied for team lead in tackles with 81
|
|
David Quessenberry
|
|
OT
|
|
San Jose State
|
|
2nd team All-WAC, projects to one of the top 30 tackles in the nation
|
|
Kevin Reddick
|
|
LB
|
|
North Carolina
|
|
Leading returning tackler for the Heels, registered 71 last season
|
|
Taylor Reed
|
|
LB
|
|
SMU
|
|
Led team with 101 tackles, 2X RLA Watch List candidate
|
|
Cyril Richardson (News - Alert)
|
|
G
|
|
Baylor
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 12, started all 13 games last season
|
|
Weston Richburg
|
|
C
|
|
Colorado State
|
|
2nd team All-MWC in 2011, 1st team Freshman All-American in 2010
|
|
Marcus Rush
|
|
DE
|
|
Michigan State
|
|
Freshman All-American and Honorable mention All-Big 10
|
|
Kawann Short
|
|
DT
|
|
Purdue
|
|
Bednarik Watch Lister, finished season with 17 tackles for a loss
|
|
John Simon
|
|
DE
|
|
Ohio State
|
|
1st team All-Big 10, 3rd team All-American last season
|
|
Shayne Skov
|
|
LB
|
|
Stanford
|
|
Knee injury shortened his season, if healthy, he'll be 1st All-Pac 12
|
|
Adam Smith
|
|
G
|
|
Western Kentucky
|
|
1st team All-Sun Belt, allowed only 3 sacks during 2011 season
|
|
Keith Smith
|
|
LB
|
|
San Jose State
|
|
2nd team All-WAC as a sophomore, led Spartans with 104 tackles
|
|
Akeem Spence
|
|
DT
|
|
Illinois
|
|
Nose tackle who is 2nd leading returning tackler for Illini defense
|
|
Baker Steinkuhler
|
|
DT
|
|
Nebraska
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 10, finished 2011 season with 5 TFL
|
|
Jake Stoneburner
|
|
TE
|
|
Ohio State
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 10, 7 of his 14 receptions were TDs
|
|
Bruce Taylor
|
|
LB
|
|
Virginia Tech
|
|
Had stellar season in 2011 before injuring his foot and missing 4
games
|
|
Devin Taylor
|
|
DE
|
|
South Carolina
|
|
Honorable mention All-SEC in 2011, 15.5 career sacks
|
|
Lane Taylor
|
|
G
|
|
Oklahoma State
|
|
Honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2011, best returning Cowboy OL
|
|
Mike Taylor
|
|
LB
|
|
Wisconsin
|
|
Led the Badgers with 150 tackles, 2nd team All-Big 10 (coaches) in
2011
|
|
Manti Te'o
|
|
LB
|
|
Notre Dame
|
|
2nd team All-American and preseason All-American candidate for 2012
|
|
Chase Thomas
|
|
LB
|
|
Stanford
|
|
2nd in sacks in the Pac-12 (8.5), 1st team All-Pac 12 in 2011
|
|
Levine Toilolo
|
|
TE
|
|
Stanford
|
|
Next in line at Tight End U, honorable mention All-Pac 12 in 2011
|
|
Omoregie Uzzi
|
|
G
|
|
Georgia Tech
|
|
One of the nation's best guards, strong candidate for All-American
honors
|
|
Kyle Van Noy
|
|
LB
|
|
BYU
|
|
Led the Cougars in sacks with 7 and tackles for a loss with 15
|
|
Joe Vellano
|
|
DT
|
|
Maryland
|
|
1st team All-ACC in 2011, 2nd team All-ACC in 2010
|
|
LaAdrian Waddle
|
|
OT
|
|
Texas Tech
|
|
Tech coaches have raved about Waddle's potential, 2nd team All-Big 12
|
|
Ricky Wagner
|
|
OT
|
|
Wisconsin
|
|
Pre-season All-Big 10 candidate, honorable mention All-Big 10 in 2011
|
|
Brian Wagner
|
|
LB
|
|
Arizona
|
|
2x 1st team All-MAC at Akron, graduate student eligible after
transfer
|
|
Mason Walters
|
|
G
|
|
Texas
|
|
25 starts at guard in 1st two years, Honorable mention All-Big 12
last year
|
|
Larry Warford
|
|
G
|
|
Kentucky
|
|
2nd team All-SEC, allowed only one sack last season
|
|
Chance Warmack
|
|
G
|
|
Alabama
|
|
Voted 2nd team All-SEC by the league's coaches in 2011
|
|
Stephen Warner
|
|
C
|
|
La. Tech
|
|
1st team All-WAC offensive lineman selection in 2011
|
|
Bjoern Werner
|
|
DE
|
|
Florida State
|
|
Honorable mention All-ACC, 2nd on team with 11 TFL in 2011
|
|
Nikita Whitlock
|
|
DT
|
|
Wake Forest
|
|
2nd team All-ACC, 2nd leading returning ACC player with 14 TFL
|
|
Jesse Williams
|
|
DE
|
|
Alabama
|
|
Australian native who has been a star for Crimson Tide, 4 tackles
for a loss
|
|
Sylvester Williams
|
|
DT
|
|
North Carolina
|
|
Former JUCO transfer who made impact in 1st year, 7 tackles for a
loss
|
|
Trevardo Williams
|
|
DE
|
|
U Conn
|
|
1st team All-Big East honors in 2011
|
|
Luke Willson
|
|
TE
|
|
Rice
|
|
Honorable mention ALL-CUSA,2xMackey Award Watch
|
|
Brian Winters
|
|
OT
|
|
Kent State
|
|
2nd team All-MAC selection, 36 career starts at tackle
|
|
Dwayne Woods
|
|
LB
|
|
Bowling Green
|
|
3rd leading returning tackler in the MAC (111), 1st team All-MAC
|
|
Carson York
|
|
G
|
|
Oregon
|
|
Experienced starter for the Ducks coming off of a knee injury in bowl
|
