|
Osemwegie Named To Lombardi Award Watchlist 8/23/2005 HOUSTON, Texas — Vanderbilt linebacker Moses Osemwegie has been named to the preseason watchlist for the prestigious Rotary Lombardi Award. The 35th annual award will be presented to the nation’s top interior player in December. Osemwegie, a senior from Nashville, Tenn., is preparing for his third season as a Commodore starter at outside linebacker, entering the campaign as the Southeastern Conference’s leading active tackler. Earlier this summer, Osemwegie was named preseason First Team All-SEC by the league’s coaches and included on the watchlist for the Lott Trophy, which goes to the college defensive player of the year who makes the biggest impact on and off the field. It marks the second consecutive year that a Vanderbilt player was named to the Lombardi watchlist. In 2004, defensive end Jovan Haye was recognized. A First Team All-SEC selection by the SEC coaches and Associated Press in 2004, Osemwegie is the SEC’s top returning tackler among all linebackers. He averaged 9.4 tackles a game last year, totalling at least 10 tackles in seven outings. He enters his final season at the SEC active career leader with 273 tackles. He also has 21 tackles for loss in three seasons. Osemwegie will also serve as a team captain this year. The Lombardi Award watchlist includes 123 of the nation’s top interior players. Osemwegie is one of 18 Southeastern Conference players named to the preseason list. Though recognized as an award for interior linemen, tight ends and linebackers are eligible for the Lombardi Award. The voting process starts in late September, with the eventual winner being named on Dec. 7 in Houston. |
