Alabama football’s senior defensive end is in line for a fourth national award.
Jonathan Allen was selected as one of four finalists for the Rotary Lombardi Award, the Rotary Club of Houston announced on Wednesday. Named after NFL Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, the Rotary Lombardi Award is presented annually the college football player who best demonstrates outstanding performance and skill in their position and best exemplify the discipline, virtue and wisdom that defined Vince Lombardi’s exceptional brand of leadership. Former Crimson Tide standout Cornelius Bennett earned the Rotary Lombardi Award in 1986.
Allen’s trophy case consists of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik Award, which honor the national defensive player of the year. He’s been awarded the Ted Hendricks Trophy, which is presented to the nation’s top defensive end. The 6-foot-3, 291-pounder has also been recognized as an unanimous All-American and SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year. He’s been a force all season on defense, anchoring a group that is first nationally in rushing defense (63.4 ypg), total defense (248 ypg) and scoring defense (11.8 ppg).
Allen leads the team in quarterback hurries (15), while sharing the lead in sacks with 8.5. The Leesburg, Va., native has 56 total tackles, including 13 for loss and two fumble returns for touchdowns in 13 games.
Joining Allen as finalists are: Lamar Jackson (quarterback/Louisville), Jabrill Peppers (linebacker/Michigan) and Myles Garrett (defensive end/Texas A&M). The winner of the 2016 Rotary Lombardi Award will be announced on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 during a ceremony at the Houston Hobby Center.
***All information above comes via a press release from UA’s athletic department of communications***
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
