Nebraska senior defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has been named one of four finalists for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award. Since 1970, the Rotary Lombardi Award has been presented annually to the nation's top college football lineman (offense or defense) who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi.
Joining Suh as a finalist for the 2009 award Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, Alabama nose guard Terrence Cody and TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes. All four of the finalists will travel to Houston for the announcement of the winner on Wednesday, Dec. 9.
The 6-4, 300-pound Suh has been a dominant force on the Nebraska defensive line throughout the 2009 season. Suh has racked up 53 tackles, including 29 solo stops, along with 13 tackles for losses and five sacks. Suh's impact does not stop with tackles. He has a team-leading 17 quarterback hurries, three blocked kicks, eight pass breakups, an interception and a fumble caused.
Suh has registered 46 career tackles for loss, the most in the nation among active defensive linemen. He also has 17 career sacks and already holds numerous Nebraska position records. Suh's pass breakup and blocked kick totals this season are the most ever by a Nebraska defensive lineman and he also holds game and career records in those categories.
In addition to being a Lombardi Award finalist, Suh is a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award and a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy. He has twice been named the Lott Trophy Impact Defensive Player of the Week (Missouri, Iowa State), and was also the Walter Camp and Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week for his performance against Missouri.
Nebraska has had four winners of the Lombardi Award, most recently defensive end Grant Wistrom in 1997. Other Huskers to capture the award are middle guard Rich Glover in 1972, center Dave Rimington in 1982 and offensive guard Dean Steinkuhler in 1983. The most recent Nebraska player to be a finalist for the Lombardi Award was center Dominic Raiola in 2000.
