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Home , Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Doak Walker Award, Heisman Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award, LaVell Edwards

LOMBARDI FOUNDATION NAMES 21 NOMINEES FOR 2017

HOUSTON (Jan. 15) – The Houston-based Lombardi Foundation is proud to announce 21 candidates for the 2017 Lombardi Award, to be presented to an NCAA Division I player, regardless of position, based on performance, leadership, character and resiliency. The presentation will take place on Saturday, Jan. 27, in Houston at Lone Star College and will be televised locally on ABC’s KTRK and nationally on ESPN3. At that time, the new Lombardi Award trophy, crafted by renowned sculptor Edd Hayes, will be unveiled. The nominee list is led by teammates from the recently-crowned national champion , safety and Da’Ron Payne. Payne was the most outstanding defensive player in both the Playoff National Semifinal (Allstate ) and the National Championship game while Fitzpatrick was named a consensus All-American. Georgia , Oklahoma and Clemson defensive tackle are also nominees who played in the . Overall, nine offensive players and 10 defensive players, along with one two-way player, were named to the nominee list. Following is the complete list of nominees for the 2017 Lombardi Award: , Penn State (RB) , Louisville (QB) Ed Oliver, Houston (DT) J.T. Barrett, State (QB) Derwin James, Florida State (S) Da’Ron Payne, Alabama (DT) , N.C. State (DE) , State (LB/QB) , San Diego State (RB) Tyrell Crosby, Oregon (OT) , Stanford (RB) Roquan Smith, Georgia (LB) DeShon Elliott, Texas (S) Hercules Mata’afa, Washington State (DE) Vita Vea, Washington (DT) Minkah Fitzpatick, Alabama (S) Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma (QB) James Washington, Oklahoma State (WR) Shaquem Griffin, UCF (LB) Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame (G) Christian Wilkins, Clemson (DT) Up to seven finalists from this list will be selected by the award voters this week and announced next Monday, Jan. 22. Four of the finalists will be invited to the Lombardi Honors presentation that will include several other awards being recognized, including the Lombardi Coach of the Year. Last season, Alabama won the Lombardi Award and Clemson’s was the Lombardi Coach of the Year. The event will also include the induction of a college football icon into the Lombardi Hall of Fame, as well as honor a legendary collegiate coach, broadcaster and humanitarian. will announce the newest member of the Lombardi Hall of Fame, who will join Jerry Kramer, Anthony Muñoz and Joe Moglia. Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott will announce the recipient of the Legendary Coach Award, who will join , LaVell Edwards and as a recipient. The Lombardi Humanitarian Award will be presented to Greg Headington and the Headington family, while Lombardi fellows Lott, Hall of Fame broadcaster Lesley Visser, Houston Mayor Hon. Sylvester Turner, Grammy-winning gospel singer and Houston resident Yolanda Adams, sportswriter John McClain of the Houston Chronicle and astronaut Commander Randy Bresnik, who has just returned from 139 days on the International Space Station, will also be recognized. 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. “It is my great honor to serve the Lombardi family and the college football community, while honoring the next generation of American leaders,” said Rick Slemaker, the chairman of the Lombardi Foundation. “Leadership is what we now honor with the award named after one of America’s most acclaimed leaders, Vince Lombardi. Today, leadership is the attribute in greatest demand, yet shortest supply and the foundation looks forward to honoring a deserving player at the new Lombardi Honors.” Proceeds from the event will go to organizations that support cancer research and treatment including Texas Children’s Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Harris Health Cancer Treatment Centers. For more information about the Lombardi Honors, contact RoShelle Salinas at [email protected] or 281-509-1682. 2017 LOMBARDI AWARD NOMINEES

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State Finalist for the and and the Big Ten Player of the Year. A three-down back who is electric as a return man. His coach said Barkley is what you would get if Dr. Frankenstein built a . His path to success began as his family escaped a New York home surrounded by drugs and gun violence. After moving to northern Pennsylvania, the family demanded the children attend at least two years of college. Saquon will cash in after three. Barkley credits those tough surroundings for making him the man he is today.

J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State Record-breaking Big Ten quarterback and the only three-time captain in school history. Teammates speak of his leadership with what was described as “reverent tones.” His motivation comes by both word and action. While individual records fall, Barrett is laser focused on team success and his teammates know it.

Bradley Chubb, DE, N.C. State The Trophy and Award winner and catalyst of the Wolfpack success. He is known for his high energy, which began as an infant. He was a squirmer. He was also the youngest in a football family and grew up playing with the bigger kids. His older brother, Brandon, later a star linebacker at Wake Forest, and his cousins constantly tormented Bradley, right up until the time Bradley learned to fight back. Today Chubb torments opposing offences.

Tyrell Crosby, OT, Oregon The Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Year did not allow a sack all season, after missing most of the 2016 season with a broken foot. Before leaving school, his final act of influence was leading a petition to name Mario Cristobal as the next head football at Oregon. The next head football coach at Oregon? Mario Cristobal.

DeShon Elliott, S, Texas Finalist for the Award, he picked off six passes, returning two for touchdowns. During the year under new coach Tom Hermann, Elliott shed his quiet and reserved label and began to make an impact on the field, then grew into a forceful leader off it.

Minkah Fitzpatick, S, Alabama A two-time All-American and winner of both the and Bednarik Award. A relentless worker who pushes everyone around him. Channeled as leader of the Alabama . Pushed in high school by the same work ethic his parents exhibited, working extra jobs to pay for his private education after their home was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

Shaquem Griffin, LB, UCF Perhaps the most inspiring story on 2017’s Cinderella team, he led UCF to a 13-0 record, the American Athletic Conference championship and a victory over Auburn in the Chick-fil-A . Named AAC Defensive Player of the Year. Born with amniotic band syndrome, he had his right hand amputated as a 4-year-old and proved a handicap doesn’t have to be a handicap.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville The two-time ACC Offensive Player of the Year, 2016 Lombardi Award finalist, 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and 2017 finalist. His coach called his impact on his university and community immeasurable. He is the ultimate competitor, but remained a humble person and a terrific teammate who cares more about others than simply winning.

Derwin James, S, Florida State One of the new breed of defensive players. He lined up at , safety and even linebacker during his career and returned to form after missing most of the 2016 season following knee surgery. Considered by some to be the best pure football player in the country, he’s been compared to and . He says he’s the next Derwin James.

Joel Lanning, LB/QB, Iowa State Rewarded for his versatility and leadership by being named first team All-American by the FWAA. One of the most remarkable college football players and seasons of this generation. A three-way player at quarterback and middle linebacker who also played on special teams and was called the heart and soul of an Iowa State team that upset both Oklahoma and TCU. 2017 LOMBARDI AWARD NOMINEES

Bryce Love, RB, Stanford The Award winner and Heisman Trophy finalist overcame an injured ankle to become a 2,000-yard offensive weapon. There are bigger things in his Love’s future. He is a biology major and aspiring pediatrician with an interest in stem cell research.

Hercules Mata’afa, DE/KB Washington State A 2017 consensus All-American and the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, he was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press. Undersized for his position, he is a combination of power and speed making him among the most disruptive defensive linemen in college football.

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma Spent the season collecting hardware: the Heisman Trophy, and the Maxwell, and Davey O’Brien Awards. Among the most vocal leaders of any team in America, he wears emotion on sleeve and influences with his actions. He transferred from Texas Tech, starting his career at Oklahoma as a walk-on – and walks off as the most decorated player in the nation.

Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame, An elite talent and consensus best collegiate guard in the country. A captain at Notre Dame, his influence directly effected the rest of the Notre Dame offensive line, driving them to become perhaps the best unit in college football.

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston The winner and consensus All-American had 69 tackles, which ranked second nationally among defensive tackles. The Houston native played the nose tackle spot in a three-man front, and the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year averaged 1.32 tackles for loss per game despite missing three quarters of one game and being limited in the next four with a knee injury.

Da’Ron Payne, DT, Alabama Played best in the biggest games, he was named the defensive player of the game in both College Football Playoff games. An absolute beast versus Clemson and Georgia, with an interception and a touchdown reception against the Tigers. Always described as a good young man. Talented and a hard worker, he is the definition of a Saban-style leader.

Rashaad Penny, RB, San Diego State Completed his career with a year to remember – over 2,200 yards rushing and 23 TDs. A finalist for the , Penny waited his turn behind Donnel Pumphrey. This year San Diego State became the first FBS team ever to boast back-to-back 2,000- yard running backs. When he got his chance to shine, he sparkled.

Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia The winner was named a permanent team captain for the Bulldogs. A 13-tackle, 2.5-sack performance against Alabama in the National Championship is a testament to his nature, with a big performance on the biggest stage. Quiet by nature, he leads by example.

Vita Vea, DT, Washington Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and Morris Trophy winner, he was a 260-pound wildcat quarterback in high school. Vea dug himself into an academic hole, then dug himself out. Today he is an anthropology major with a B average. He used to be the first to crack jokes during team meetings, today he’s the guy teammates look to follow.

James Washington, WR, Oklahoma State The Biletnikoff Award winner and unanimous All-American with a record-setting career at Oklahoma State, he is just as serious about school. The farm and ranch management major took 17 hours during the season, including an online chemistry class with an unsupervised lab. Professors say he takes care of his business in the classroom – and the same goes on the field.

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson Among most disruptive defensive linemen in college football, his life-altering moment came with the heartbreaking death of his grandfather, who was the male role model in his life. Wilkins, 15 at the time, said it gave him a clarity not so much about who he was, but about who he wanted to be. Football is but one part of his life. He cooks and sings – and coach Dabo Swinney says he’ll either become the president or know the president.