The Rotary Lombardi Award was established by the Rotary Club of Houston in 1970 shortly after the death of legendary NFL coach, Vince Lombardi. For 37 years this award has raised funds for the American Cancer Society in Coach Lombardi’s name while honoring the best lineman or linebacker in Division I college football.

Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen and those defensive players who line up within five yards of the football. While the Watch List highlights players who have already received national recognition, any Division 1 player who meets the position requirements is eligible for consideration from the Rotary Lombardi Selection Committee. This committee is comprised of more than 500 members, including all past finalists, all Division 1 head coaches and a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

For more information, go to the Rotary Lombardi Award official website.

2007 - Glenn Dorsey, LSU DT
2006 - LaMarr Woodley, Michigan
2005 - A.J. Hawk, Ohio State LB
2004 - David Pollack, Georgia DE
2003 - Tommie Harris, Oklahoma DT
2002 - Terrell Suggs, Arizona State DE
2001 - Julius Peppers, North Carolina DE
2000 - Jamal Reynolds, Florida State DE
1999 - Corey Moore, Virginia Tech DE
1998 - Dat Nguyen, Texas A&M LB
1997 - Grant Wistrom, Nebraska DE
1996 - Orlando Pace, Ohio State OT
1995 - Orlando Pace, Ohio State OT
1994 - Warren Sapp, Miami (Fla) DT
1993 - Aaron Taylor, Notre Dame OT
1992 - Marvin Jones, Florida State LB
1991 - Steve Emtman, Washington DT
1990 - Chris Zorich, Notre Dame, NT
1989 - Percy Snow, Michigan State LB
1988 - Tracy Rocker, Auburn DT
1987 - Chris Spielman, Ohio State LB
1986 - Cornelius Bennett, Alabama LB
1985 - Tony Casillas, Oklahoma NG
1984 - Tony Degrate, Texas DT
1983 - Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska G
1982 - Dave Rimington, Nebraska C
1981 - Kenneth Sims, Texas DT
1980 - Hugh Green, Pitt DE
1979 - Brad Budde, USC G
1978 - Bruce Clark, Penn State DT
1977 - Ross Browner, Notre Dame DE
1976 - Wilson Whitley, Houston DT
1975 - Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma DT
1974 - Randy White, Maryland DT
1973 - John Hicks, Ohio State OT
1972 - Rich Glover, Nebraska MG
1971 - Walt Patulski, Notre Dame DE
1970 - Jim Stillwagon, Ohio State MG