University of North Carolina Athletics
Four Tar Heels Named To Lombardi Watch List
July 17, 2012 | Football
Houston, Texas – July 16, 2012 – North Carolina football players Jonathan Cooper, James Hurst, Kevin Reddick and Sylvester Williams have been named to the 43rd Annual Rotary Lombardi Award Official Watch List. The Rotary Club of Houston presents the Lombardi Award to the nation's top college lineman or linebacker each year.
Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to: 1) offensive or defensive end-to-end down linemen who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball and 2) linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. All candidates must be eligible to play college sports under the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The candidates earned a place on the Official Watch List by: earning All-American honors last season; being named last season to their respective all-conference first team as determined by the conference's head coaches; being projected to be an All-American or first team all-conference player for the coming season; or by nomination approved by the nominations committee.
While the Watch List highlights those players who have already received national recognition, any Division IA player who meets the above requirements is eligible for consideration from the Rotary Lombardi Award Selection Committee. The committee is comprised of more than 500 members, including all past winners and finalists, all Division IA head coaches, and a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.
The Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List is a reference tool for the Selection Committee. It will be periodically revised until the first round of voting is completed. The first round of voting determines the Top 25 Quarter finalists for 2012. The second round of voting will determine the final 7 semi-finalists or "Seven Blocks of Granite". The third round of voting will determine the "four- finalists from the "Seven Blocks of Granite". The fourth and final round of voting will determine the winner of The 43rd Rotary Lombardi Award which will be announced on national television live in "prime-time" 8-9 PM (CST) Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at The Hobby Center in Houston, TX (network to be determined).
Last year's 2011 Rotary Lombardi Award winner, Luke Kuechly (LB-Boston College) was drafted by the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Panthers with the 9th overall pick of the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Other 2011 Rotary Lombardi finalists, Dont'a Hightower (LB - Alabama) was the overall 25th pick in the first round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots; Courtney Upshaw, (OLB - Alabama) was the overall 35th pick by the Baltimore Ravens; Jonathan Martin (OT-Stanford) was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the Second round and the 42nd pick overall.”
For more information on the two-day schedule of events and ticket opportunities, please visit www.rotarylombardiaward.org.
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2012 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List |
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Player |
Position |
University |
Player Highlights |
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|
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 |
|
|
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 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 |
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 inj. |
|
|
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 |
|
|
OT |
North Carolina |
2nd team All-ACC in 2011, graded out at 88% during the season |
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|
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 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 |
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 |
|
|
G |
Western Kentucky |
1st team All-Sun Belt, allowed only 3 sacks during 2011 season |
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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 |
|
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Ricky Wagner |
OT |
Wisconsin |
Pre-season All-Big 10 candidate, honorable mention All-Big 10 in 2011 |
|
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Brian Wagner |
LB |
Arizona |
2x 1st team All-MAC at Akron, graduate student eligible after transfer |
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Mason Walters |
G |
Texas |
25 starts at guard in 1st two years, Honorable mention All-Big 12 last year |
|
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Larry Warford |
G |
Kentucky |
2nd team All-SEC, allowed only one sack last season |
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Chance Warmack |
G |
Alabama |
Voted 2nd team All-SEC by the league's coaches in 2011 |
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Stephen Warner |
C |
La. Tech |
1st team All-WAC offensive lineman selection in 2011 |
|
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Bjoern Werner |
DE |
Florida State |
Honorable mention All-ACC, 2nd on team with 11 TFL in 2011 |
|
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Nikita Whitlock |
DT |
Wake Forest |
2nd team All-ACC, 2nd leading returning ACC player with 14 TFL |
|
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Jesse Williams |
DE |
Alabama |
Australian native who has been a star for Crimson Tide, 4 tackles for a loss |
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Sylvester Williams |
DT |
North Carolina |
Former JUCO transfer who made impact in 1st year, 7 tackles for a loss |
|
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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 |
|
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Dwayne Woods |
LB |
Bowling Green |
3rd leading returning tackler in the MAC (111), 1st team All-MAC |
|
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Carson York |
G |
Oregon |
Experienced starter for the Ducks coming off of a knee injury in bowl |
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