The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Five Longhorns named to Lombardi Award midseason watch list
10.17.2023 | Football
Texas led the Big 12 Conference with five selections to the watch list for the award named in honor of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi.
HOUSTON – No. 8/8 Texas Football had five players named to the Lombardi Award midseason watch list, the Rotary Club of Houston announced on Tuesday. Seniors Jaylan Ford, Christian Jones and T'Vondre Sweat, junior Ja'Tavion Sanders and sophomore Kelvin Banks Jr. gave the Longhorns a Big 12-leading five selections, the second-most in the nation.
The Lombardi Award is presented annually to the college football offensive or defensive lineman, who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi.
Three Longhorns have won the Lombardi Award, most recently Brian Orakpo in 2008. Tony Degrate won the award in 1984 while Kenneth Sims took it home in 1981. Nine other Longhorns have been finalists for the award, including Justin Blalock (2006), Rodrique Wright (2005), Derrick Johnson (2004), Cory Redding (2002), Doug Dawson (1983), Steve McMichael (1979), Brad Shearer (1977), Bill Wyman (1973) and Jerry Sisemore (1972).
Ford is a fourth-year linebacker from Frisco, Texas who has played in and started all six games for the Longhorns this season. He currently leads the team with 40 tackles (18 solo) and five tackles for loss and has a share of the lead with two interceptions. Both of his interceptions have led to Texas scoring drives.
Sweat, a fifth-year defensive lineman from Huntsville, Texas, has appeared in all six games with two starts. He has registered 18 tackles (eight solo) with four tackles for loss, one sack, one pass breakup and four quarterback hurries.
Sanders is a third-year tight end from Denton, Texas who has started all six games for Texas this year. He has hauled in 14 passes for 291 yards and one touchdown this season, and his 20.79 yards per reception rank 12th in the nation. This season, he became the first Longhorn tight end to record two games of 100-plus receiving yards with a 114-yard performance at Alabama and a 110-yard outing at Baylor.
Jones, a fifth-year offensive lineman from Cypress, Texas, and Banks, a second-year offensive lineman from Humble, Texas, have started all six games for the Longhorns and right tackle and left tackle, respectively. The duo helped the Texas offensive line earn Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll distinction as the top unit in college football. The Longhorns' offensive line has played a key role in Texas converting 10-of-14 fourth downs this year, 18th-best in the FBS (71.4%). Texas also ranks 13th nationally in total offense (486.5 ypg) with 185.8 rushing (32nd) and 300.7 passing (21st), while scoring 35 points per game (26th).
To be considered for the Lombardi Award, players must be a NCAA FBS College Football team member and meet the following qualifications:
- Be a down Lineman, end to end, either on offense or defense, setting up no further than ten (10) yards to the left or right of the ball at the time of the snap.
- Be a Linebacker on defense, setting up no further than five (5) yards deep from the line of scrimmage.
- Must not come out of the offensive backfield and set up on the line of scrimmage as a Blocker or a Receiver or listed in the program as an Offensive Back or Receiver.
- Be eligible to participate in the current season.
- Semifinalists for the Lombardi Award will be announced on November 1, 2023, while the four finalists for the award will be revealed on November 15, 2023. The winner will be announced at the 46th Rotary Lombardi Award dinner, which will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023.
Vince Lombardi has been the namesake of the Lombardi Award since 1970. Over those past five decades, his name has been associated with a premier college football award, a landmark event in Houston, and a generous contributor to cancer hospitals and patient care. Now, under the direction of the Lombardi Foundation, Lombardi Honors is presenting the most significant tribute in college football, growing the event, while continuing to create awareness and funding for cancer initiatives.
