Texas lineman among four finalists for Lombardi Awards

The four finalists for the 51st Lombardi Award have been revealed, narrowing down the list from 12 semifinalists previously announced.

The finalists are Kyle Kennard, an EDGE from South Carolina; Abdul Carter, a DE from Penn State; Will Campbell, an OT from LSU; and Kelvin Banks Jr., an OT from Texas.

Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. represents the state of Texas through his university, but his roots are also not too far from Houston. He grew up in Humble and attended Summer Creek High School

If Banks Jr. wins the Lombardi Award, he would be the fourth Longhorn to do so and the first since Brian Orakpo in 2008.

The Lombardi Award was first introduced back in 1970 after the passing of Vince Lombardi due to colon cancer. He is widely regarded as one of the best coaches and most influential figures in football history.

It was established by the Rotary Club of Houston with the permission of Lombardi’s widow, Marie, and his sister, Madeline Lombardi Werner. Proceeds from the annual Gala associated with the award go towards cancer research and families battling the disease, as the Lombardi family wanted.

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The Lombardi Award honor is handed to the player who “displays exceptional performance and ability and embodies the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed throughout his life.”

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The award was recently won by a familiar face for Texans’ fans, as then-Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. took home the honor in 2022.

The semifinalists were announced on November 7.

All 12 of the semifinalists are listed below:

• Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas
• Will Campbell, OT, LSU
• Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State
• Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College
• Jay Higgins, LB, Iowa
• Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
• Kyle Lewis, DL, Army
• James Pearce Jr., DE, Tennessee
• Antwaun Powell-Ryland, DE, Virginia Tech
• Colin Ramos, LB, Navy
• Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M
• Mykel Williams, LOLB, Georgia

The Lombardi Award Ceremony will be streamed on KPRC 2+ on the night of Dec. 11. You can download the KPRC 2+ app here.