Three 2008 Semi-Finalists Top 2009 Preliminary Watch List
Three semi-finalists from last year’s Rotary Lombardi Award voting are among 47 players named to the 2009 preliminary watch list released today. Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo won the 39th Rotary Lombardi Award on December 10, 2008.
The three semi-finalists returning to this year’s list are South Florida defensive lineman George Selvie, Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes and Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. Selvie was also a semi-finalist in 2007; both Selvie and Spikes are All-Americans. This year’s list includes a total of four All-Americans.
Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. The candidates earned a place on the preliminary watch list by earning All-American honors or by being named to their respective all-conference first team as selected by the conference’s head coaches. The Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List will be updated prior to the start of the 2009 season in order to identify those players who have been selected as pre-season honors candidates.
TroyUniversity has the most players on the preliminary watch list with three players. Alabama, Central Michigan, Louisiana Lafayette, Oklahoma, Penn State, South Carolina and Texas all have two players on the list. In conference lineups, the Big 12 has the most players with eight, followed by the SEC and Sun Belt with seven, Western Athletic with five and Big Ten with four. The Pac-10, Big East, Mountain West and Mid-American conferences have three players each. Rounding out the list are the ACC and Conference USA with two each.
While the Watch List highlights those players who have already received national recognition, any Division 1 player who meets the requirements is eligible for consideration from the Rotary Lombardi Selection Committee. This committee is comprised of more than 500 members, including all past winners and finalists, all Division 1-A head coaches and a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. The Rotary Lombardi Watch List, intended as a reference tool for the Selection Committee, will be periodically updated and revised through the conclusion of the voting to determine the 12 Semifinalists for 2009.
The complete Rotary Lombardi Award Preliminary Watch List for 2009 follows:
The 40th Rotary Lombardi Award dinner will be held on December 9, 2009 in Houston.
Comments (18) >>
aa written by bags, January 24, 2010
ean Lee, linebacker from "the Linebacker U" - Penn State. Sean missed all of last year due to a serious knee injury
SUH written by Amanda, October 13, 2009
First of all AG, you must not have seen one Nebraska game this year obviously. Second of all SUH is number 5 up for the heisman race. Third, why the hell is SUH not on this list?
Three Players From Troy written by LeviFan, March 10, 2009
To the guy saying the two DE's from Troy only had 1.5 sacks: The actual TOTAL for the duo was 17 sacks, with Brandon Lang being 7th in the nation among sack leaders coming back this season.
Are you all Nebraska fans, complaining about SUH has been left out, heck there are a lot of people have been left out, so stop complaining.
... written by Kyle Kozel, March 04, 2009
How could someone overlook the fact that one of the top prospects on the D line Ndamukong Suh is not on your list. This is an insult to the trophy to not have his name listed among the nation’s best when he is considered to be. This will make a mockery of the preseason list if he wins or is in contention to do so.
... written by Kendra Galyean, March 04, 2009
While I understand everyone's pain at Suh and others who are not on the list, I feel compelled to point out a couple of things. Number one, the voters have absolutely nothing to do with the watch lists. Number two, the players named to the preliminary watch list are ones who have been named All-American or first team all-conference as voted by the head coaches. Suh was named SECOND team by the Big 12 coaches. Never fear, however; no doubt Suh and the others will be named to the updated watch list in August. And even if they are not, that does not mean the voters can't vote for them. The watch list is not a ballot. Check out "Selecting the Winner" on this site.
Where Is Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska! written by Jesse Gilmore, March 04, 2009
Where Is Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska! He would have been a solid first round pick as a junior. And he isnt even considered a top 50 devensive player! what's going on! I know the press hates Nebraska... But that does not mean they can treat Nebraska players unfairly! Early prediction-Ndamukong Suh will be the 2009 Lombardi Winner! Put Suh on the list!
What monkey(s) came up with this list? written by Inmates Running the Asylum, March 03, 2009
No Sean Lee, a soon-to-be three year starter who may end 2009 as Penn State's all-time leading tackler. And no Ndamukong Suh, who led Nebraska in tackles, tackles-for-loss, sacks, interceptions and defensive touchdowns.
Yet we've got three players from Troy, including two defensive ends that combined for a TOTAL of 1.5 sacks last year?
Do us all a favor Lombardi voters and get a clue the next time you do this.
Asleep at the Wheel written by David Evans, March 03, 2009
Here in Austin we have great football and a band , "Asleep at the Wheel". Those naming a preliminary Lombardi Award watch list and leaving off Ndamunkong Suh of Nebraska must also be asleep at the wheel!
Are you serious? written by New Yorker, March 03, 2009
I'm an objective observer who thinks it's absolutely ridiculous that Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska) is not on the list. Preposterous!!! Please fix this.
Ndamukong Suh? written by CORNFUSED?, March 03, 2009
How is Suh not on here?
Where is Suh? written by Oh C'mon!, March 03, 2009
Please tell me that this list isn't just preliminary, but is also incorrect for having left off Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska.
... written by Tad Gray, March 03, 2009
There appears to be a typ on your list...I don't see Ndamukong Suh anywhere?
Really? written by VT_Owns_The_ACC, March 03, 2009
Jason Worilds from Virginia Tech isn't on here???? The man was dominant last season playing with one shoulder (separated shoulder). Imagine what kind of havoc he will wreak with two good shoulders this season. The guy is a competitor and a hard working kid and it's a shame to not put him on this list.
WOW!!! written by Pepe, March 03, 2009
I totally get that this is a first swag, but to not have someone who would have been selected on the first day of the NFL draft on the list (Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska) is just insane.
Either fix that glaring oversight in the next update or lose all credibility for such a historic award.
(Sorry for sounding so melodramatic)
Missing an obvious candidate written by John Romano, March 03, 2009
I have to also agree that Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska should be considered a candidate, if not a top candidate, for this year's award. While there are many who certainly qualify, Suh was almost solely responsible for Nebraska's significant defensive turnaround from the previous year (when they basically ranked dead last on defense). Any cross-reference of his '08 stats would support this. But more than stats, he is a strong leader with the size and speed. If Bo Pelini is quoted as saying Suh and Glenn Dorsey are "very similar" (having coached both) that alone should say something. And Bo doesn't talk just to talk.
what?? written by What??, March 03, 2009
Where is Ndamukong Suh from nebraska?
The first obvious oversight is written by Old_School, March 03, 2009
Sean Lee, linebacker from "the Linebacker U" - Penn State. Sean missed all of last year due to a serious knee injury suffered in the spring. He should rebound much like Paul "Puz" Pozluszny did. The trio of Navarro "Lavarro" Bowman, Sean Lee and Mike Mauti should be the best group in the nation.
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