Three Tigers on Lombardi Award 2024 Preseason Watchlist

HOUSTON (August 15, 2024) – The Lombardi Award™ Committee proudly releases the 2024 Preseason Watchlist, featuring 90 of the nation’s top linemen and linebackers. This list consists of a select group of talented athletes representing the very best from all FBS conferences and independents, based on previous performances and potential for the coming season.

This marks the 51st anniversary of the award which has been handed out in Houston, Texas since its inception. The 2024 award dinner will take place on December, 11, 2024 and net proceeds from gala sponsorship and table sales are dedicated to supporting cancer research and families and patients battling cancer.

The watchlist showcases a balanced distribution across eligible positions: 18 defensive tackles, 17 defensive ends, and 19 linebackers on defense; and 18 offensive tackles, 10 offensive guards, 6 offensive centers, and 2 tight ends on offense. This diverse group hails from the nation’s top conferences: the SEC with 19 players, Big Ten with 18 players, and Big 12 with 13, and has strong representation from the ACC, American Athletic, Conference USA, Sun Belt, Pac-12, Mountain West, MAC, and Independent teams.

Lombardi Award™ Watch List

LB Leo Lowin, Army (AAC)
LB Colin Ramos, Navy (AAC)
OG Brant Banks, Rice (AAC)
DT Patrick Jenkins, Tulane (AAC)
DE Desmond Little, UAB (AAC)
LB Barrett Carter, Clemson (ACC)
OT Blake Miller, Clemson (ACC)
DT Peter Woods, Clemson (ACC)
OT Darius Washington, Florida State (ACC)
DE Patrick Payton, Florida State (ACC)
DE Ashton Gillotte, Louisville (ACC)
DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (ACC)
DE Kaimon Rucker, North Carolina (ACC)
OG Logan Parr, SMU (ACC)
DT Aeneas Peeples, Virginia Tech (ACC)
DL Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Virginia Tech (ACC)
LB Jay Higgins, Iowa (Big 10)
LB Nick Jackson, Iowa (Big 10)
OC Logan Jones, Iowa (Big 10)
DT Mason Graham, Michigan (Big 10)
DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan (Big 10)
TE Colston Loveland, Michigan (Big 10)
OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota (Big 10)
LB Xander Mueller, Northwestern (Big 10)
OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State (Big 10)
DE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State (Big 10)
DE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State (Big 10)
DT Tyleik Williams, Ohio State (Big 10)
LB Jeffery Bassa, Oregon (Big 10)
OT Ajani Cornelius, Oregon (Big 10)
OT Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon (Big 10)
DE Abdul Carter, Penn State (Big 10)
DT Bear Alexander, USC (Big 10)
OC Jonah Monheim, USC (Big 10)
LB Jacob Manu, Arizona (Big 12)
OT Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona (Big 12)
DE Tyler Batty, BYU (Big 12)
DT Lee Hunter, UCF (Big 12)
DT Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati (Big 12)
OG Luke Kandra, Cincinnati (Big 12)
DT B.J. Green II, Colorado (Big 12)
OT Dalton Cooper, Oklahoma State (Big 12)
LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State (Big 12)
OC Joe Michalski, Oklahoma State (Big 12)
LB Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State (Big 12)
LB Junior Tafuna, Utah (Big 12)
OT Wyatt Milum, West Virginia (Big 12)
OG Clay Webb, Jacksonville State (CUSA)
DT Jay Hardy, Liberty (CUSA)
OT Shiyazh Pete, NMSU (CUSA)
DE Maurice Westmoreland, UTEP (CUSA)
DT Hosea Wheeler, WKU (CUSA)
DT Howard Cross III, Notre Dame (Independent)
TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame (Independent)
DT Rylie Mills, Notre Dame (Independent)
DE CJ Nunnally IV, Akron (MAC)
OT Alex Wollschlaeger, Bowling Green (MAC)
OT Reid Holskey, Miami OH (MAC)
LB Matt Salopek, Miami OH (MAC)
OC Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan (MAC)
OC Mose Vavao, Fresno State (MW)
OT Tiger Shanks, UNLV (MW)
OT Joshua Gray, Oregon State (Pac-12)
OT Fa’alili Fa’amoe, Washington State (Pac-12)
LB Kyle Thornton, Washington State (Pac-12)
LB Nate Johnson, App State (SBC)
OT Makilan Thomas, Arkansas State (SBC)
DT Isaac Walker, Ga. Southern (SBC)
LB Jason Henderson, Old Dominion (SBC)
DE Ben Bell, Texas State (SBC)
OG Daniel King, Troy (SBC)
OG Tyler Booker, Alabama (SEC)
OC Parker Brailsford, Alabama (SEC)
MLB Deonte Lawson, Alabama (SEC)
OG Jaeden Roberts, Alabama (SEC)
DE Landon Jackson, Arkansas (SEC)
OG Dylan Fairchild, Georgia (SEC)
OG Tate Ratledge, Georgia (SEC)
LOLB Mykel Williams, Georgia (SEC)
DE Deone Walker, Kentucky (SEC)
OT Will Campbell, LSU (SEC)
OT Emery Jones Jr., LSU (SEC)
LOLB Harold Perkins Jr., LSU (SEC)
DT Walter Nolen, Mississippi (SEC)
MLB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma (SEC)
DE James Pearce Jr., Tennessee (SEC)
OT Kelvin Banks Jr, Texas (SEC)
DE Trey Moore, Texas (SEC)
DE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M (SEC)
DT Shemar Turner, Texas A&M (SEC)

The Lombardi Award™ was established in 1970, in memory of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. It is presented to outstanding linemen who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance and discipline on and off the field. Furthermore, the watchlist includes players who are consistently showing the values of strength, agility, and football acumen in their respective positions.

As the 2024 season gets underway, not only will this group of student-athletes be on watch, this list is also dynamic. One or more breakout performers may emerge during the year. And that player or players can be added to the watch list at mid-season.

The Lombardi Award™ represents much more than the distinction involved. It memorializes the perspiration, dedication, and perseverance of these exceptional athletes. As they compete on the gridiron, they inspire future generations of football players and continue the legacy of a coaching icon.