July 16, 2012
Houston, Texas – Vanderbilt defensive lineman Rob Lohr added to his preseason accolades Monday when the Houston Rotary Club named him as a candidate for the Rotary Lombardi Award.
Lohr, a senior from Phoenixville, Pa., ranks among the leading defensive tackles in the Southeastern Conference after contributing 11.5 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks in 2011.
Last week, Lohr was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watchlist. He is one of four Commodores to receive preseason recognition, joining senior running back Zac Stacy (Maxwell Award), junior offensive tackle Wesley Johnson (Outland Trophy) and senior punter Richard Kent (Ray Guy Award).
On Tuesday, Lohr joined a list of the nation’s top players vying for the 43rd annual Lombardi Award. It is given annually to the nation’s top lineman or linebacker.
The Lombardi watchlist serves as an early guide for the Rotary Selection Committee. During the regular season, the committee will narrow the field to seven semi-finalists, and then four finalists. The eventual winner will be announced Dec. 5 in Houston.
Lohr is a two-year starter on the Commodore defensive front. Among active SEC defensive tackles, Lohr ranks among the career leaders with 20 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Lohr enters his final season on a streak of 25 consecutive starts.
