TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– Former Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen received his final collegiate award on Saturday, as he was selected for the 2016 Rotary Lombardi Award.
News came from the Rotary Club of Houston, following Allen’s senior year.
Winner of Lombardi 2016: Jonathan Allen from @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/BlendK9Psd
— RotaryLombardiAward (@LombardiAward) February 12, 2017
He won his fourth national award, adding with the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Ted Hendricks Trophy. The Leesburg, Va., native was chosen as the Southeastern Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and was one of three players named a unanimous All-American, joining Reuben Foster and Cam Robinson.
During the 2016 season, Allen totaled 69 total tackles (16 for loss), 10.5 sacks, a team-high 15 quarterback hurries and three fumble recoveries (two for touchdowns). He ends his four-year career at Alabama with 28.5 sacks, placing him second in school history behind College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas.
Named after legendary coach Vincent “Vince” Lombdari, the Rotary Lombardi Award is presented annually to the college football player who best demonstrates outstanding performance and skill in their position and best exemplifies the discipline, virtue and wisdom that defined Vincent Lombardi’s exceptional brand of leadership.
Allen joins ex-Alabama standout Cornelius Bennett (1996) as the second University of Alabama alum to claim the award. He earned it over fellow finalists Lamar Jackson (Louisville), Myles Garrett (Texas A&M) and Jabrill Peppers of the Michigan Wolverines.
***All information above comes via 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.
