Texas LB Jaylan Ford named to Lombardi Award watch list
Texas junior linebacker Jaylan Ford was named to the Lombardi Award watch list, the Rotary Club of Houston announced on Monday, via Texas release. He was also named the Big 12’s defensive player of the week by the conference as well.
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, with the most recent being Brian Orakpo in 2008. Tony Degrate won the award in 1984 and future NFL No. 1 overall pick 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 third-year linebacker who was played in seven games this season, making six starts. He leads the Big 12 Conference in total tackles (66), solo tackles (37) and total tackles per game (9.4), while ranking second in solo tackles per game (5.3) and is tied for second in forced fumbles (two).
He leads the Longhorns with 5.5 tackles for loss and has had four games of double-digit tackles, including a career-high 15 tackles with 10 solo tackles against UTSA. The Frisco, Texas native intercepted a Cyclone pass in the end zone to end one drive, then collected his first career fumble recovery on Iowa State’s final drive to help clinch the victory, 24-21, on Saturday.
Joining Ford on the watch list is teammate DeMarvion Overshown, who was named to the list during the preseason.
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 10, 2022, while the four finalists for the award will be revealed on November 23, 2022. The winner will be announced at the 45th Rotary Lombardi Award dinner, which will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 70, 2022 at the Hilton Americas Houston.
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.
