He sealed up his career at the University of Alabama in winning the most coveted prize, and while he now prepares for the upcoming NFL Draft, there is one last individual award for Minkah Fitzpatrick to possibly add to his collection.
Hailing from Old Bridge, N.J., the junior safety was one of seven finalists for the 2017 Rotary Lombardi Award on Monday – according to an announcement from the Lombardi Foundation.
He would endure a hamstring injury in the Crimson Tide’s journey to a national championship; however, the former five-star was able to collect 60 tackles – including eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, eight pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one interception.
Fitzpatrick’s four career pick-sixes (nine interceptions) is a school record. He helped Alabama finish second nationally in pass efficiency defense (96.78 rating), sixth in passing yards allowed (165.7 ypg), first in scoring defense (11.9 ppg) and first in total defense (260.4 ypg).
During the 2017 regular season, Fitzpatrick won both Chuck Bednarik (college football’s defensive player of the year) and Jim Thorpe awards (college football’s top defensive back).
Named after legendary head coach Vince Lombardi, the Rotary Lombardi Award goes to the college football player that best demonstrates performance, leadership, character and resiliency, regardless of position. While the award has been presented since 1970, the event raises funds in support and cancer research and treatment. Fitzpatrick joins Saquon Barkley of Penn State, Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma, Lamar Jackson of Louisville, Bryce Love of Stanford, Joel Lanning of Iowa State and Shaquem Griffin of Central Florida as a finalist for the honor.
The winner will be announced this weekend in Houston, Texas.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
