Houston, TX – The Rotary Lombardi Award® in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Houston is pleased to announce the Four Finalists who will compete for this year’s coveted award.
The Rotary Lombardi Award® annually recognizes 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.
Kenyon Green, Texas A&M, Junior, Offensive Line
Standing at 6’4” and 325 lbs., Kenyon was born to be a great offensive lineman; his father, Henry, played guard for Grambling State. A junior from Humble, Texas, Green was a five-star recruit out of high school in 2019, the highest-ranked prospect from the state of Texas, and an Under Armor & Army All-American. In his first season, Green started all 13 games, received SEC All-Freshman Team honors, and earned the team’s Offensive Top Newcomer Award. In 2020, Green started every game at left guard for a dominant Aggie offensive line that led the SEC in sacks allowed (0.7), tackles for loss allowed (3.8), and yards per carry (5.45). He received recognition as a consensus All-American, second-team All-SEC member, and team Offensive MVP. Prior to this season, Green was named to the Walter Camp & Athlon Preseason All-America First Team and having started every game for the Aggies so far, Green looks to earn more accolades this year.
Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan, Senior Defensive End
A senior and two-time team captain, Aidan Hutchinson is the leader of a strong Michigan defense. Hutchinson was a four-star recruit in the class of 2018 from Dearborn, MI, forty minutes east of Ann Arbor. Aidan wears #97, the same number his father, Chris, an All-American pass rusher, wore for the Wolverines. Hutchinson played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2018 and was the recipient of the Team Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. His sophomore campaign was his first season as a starter, racking up 68 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, six pass breakups, and Academic All-Big Ten honors. Aidan’s 2020 season was cut short after three games due to injury; nevertheless, he put up 15 tackles and once again earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Hutchinson came back stronger than ever this year, being named the AP Midseason Big Ten Player of the Year and a Midseason All-American, cementing his status as one of the best pass rushers in the nation.
Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa, Junior, Center
The University of Iowa has long been renowned for developing outstanding offensive linemen. Tyler Linderbaum came to Iowa in 2018 as a three-star U.S. Army All-American defensive tackle prospect. In high school, he was the fifth-ranked heavyweight wrestler in the state, with a victory on the mat against future teammate, Tristan Wirfs. After his freshman season at defensive tackle, Kirk Ferentz switched Linderbaum to center, and he hit the ground running. Linderbaum started every game at center in 2019, being named an honorable mention to the All-Big Ten Team. Tyler had an excellent 2020 season; according to Pro Football Focus, Linderbaum allowed only three QB pressures on 280 pass-blocking snaps and had the No. 1 offensive-line grade in the country. He was named a Rimington Trophy finalist, PFF first-team All-American, AP first-team All-Big Ten, and Academic All-Big Ten. A preseason first-team All-American by Phil Steele leading up to this year, Linderbaum is not only one of the best centers in college football, but one of the best linemen.
Mike Rose, Iowa State, Senior, Linebacker
Mike Rose has been a contributor for Iowa State from the get-go. A three-star recruit in 2018 from Brecksville, Ohio, Rose started every game from the linebacker position for the Cyclones in his debut season. He was the first Iowa State true freshman to start in the season-opener since 2006. In 15 games, he notched 75 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, receiving Honorable Mention All-Big 12 and First Team Freshman All-American honors by the FWAA and The Athletic. Rose again started every game in 2019 and was named to the First Team Academic All-Big 12 and an honorable mention on the All-Big 12 Team. Rose broke out onto the national scene in 2020, leading the Big 12 in tackles and interceptions. He was recognized as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-American (Phil Steele & The Athletic), and first-team All-Big 12. So far this season, Rose has 56 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, and one sack as the leader of one of the best defenses in college football.
To be considered for the Rotary 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.
The third and final round of voting to determine the winner commences on November 14th and ends on December 6th. All votes are tallied by national accounting firm of Moss Adams who receives the selections through a secure voting site.
The winner will be revealed at the seated dinner and awards presentation on December 8th at the Hilton Americas-Houston. In addition to an appearance by the Honorary Event Chair, famed Green Bay Packer Jerry Kramer, the event will feature 1987 Rotary Lombardi Award® Winner Chris Spielman as the guest speaker. Robert Unanue, President and CEO of Goya Foods will receive the Rotary Lombardi Humanitarian Award in recognition of his leadership and generosity, especially the efforts that made such a difference in our community during the pandemic.
Just weeks after Coach Vince Lombardi’s death in 1970 from colon cancer, the Rotary Club of Houston was authorized by Vince Lombardi’s widow, Marie, to establish the Rotary Lombardi Award®. The award began as recognition to only interior line positions that Vince Lombardi played while an undergraduate at Fordham University (offensive and defensive guard), and later expanded to include linebackers and tight ends, with the addition of including off-field values: leadership, courage, desire, respect for authority, and discipline.
The Rotary Lombardi Award® continues the Lombardi legacy by honoring the Outstanding College Football Lineman – offense or defense, who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of Vince Lombardi. As stipulated by Mrs. Lombardi, net proceeds from the Award’s activities are contributed to Cancer Research and specifically the American Cancer Society’s programs. Since the award’s inception in 1970, millions of dollars have been raised to help programs of cancer research, public education, and direct services to cancer patients.
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