Garrett, Drango in Lombardi mix
Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett and Baylor offensive tackle Spencer Drango are among the 12 semifinalists for the 46th Rotary Lombardi Award to be presented Dec. 9 at Houston’s Revention Music Center.
The list includes six defensive ends, three offensive linemen and three linebackers.
The Big Ten leads the pack with five players, followed by the SEC with three and the Big 12, ACC, and American with one each. There is also one semifinalist from independent Notre Dame.
Besides Garrett and Drango, the semifinalists are Ohio State’s Joey Bosa and Taylor Decker, Michigan State’s Shilique Calhoun, Clemson’s Shaq Lawson, Temple’s Tyler Matakevich, Penn State’s Carl Nassib, Mississippi’s Robert Nkemdiche, Alabama’s Reggie Ragland, Wisconsin’s Joe Schobert and Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley.
Bosa was a 2014 finalist, while Nkemdiche and Calhoun were semifinalists a year ago.
Garrett leads the SEC with 10½ sacks, 15½ tackles for loss (tie) and five forced fumbles, and he ranks in the top three nationally in all three of those statistical categories. The sophomore also has 44 tackles, seven QB hurries, a blocked punt and an interception.
Drango is a returning All-American and a twotime All-Big 12 first-team honoree for the unbeaten and second-ranked Bears. Baylor is the top offense in the country and ranks second in rushing offense with 338.3 yards per game on the ground.