Lombardi Watch List Includes Reynolds

Houston, Texas -- BYU senior offensive tackle Matt Reynolds has been named to the 2011 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List released by the Rotary Lombardi Award Committee on Tuesday. 

Reynolds, a preaseason All-American who was also named to the 2011 Outland Trophy Watch List, is a two-time, first-team All-Mountain West Conference tackle who was started all 39 games of his career.  A 6-foot-6, 322-pound left tackle, Reynolds enters his senior year as one of the nation’s top lineman after deciding not to enter this year’s NFL Draft.

Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense of defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, and linebackers who set up no father than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. All candidates also must be eligible to play college sports under the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

The candidates earned a place on the Official Watch List by earning All-American honors last season, by being named to their respective all-conference first team last season as selected by the conference’s head coaches, by being projected to be an All-American or first team all-conference player for the coming season, or by nomination approved by the nominations committee.

While the Watch List highlights those players who have already received national recognition, any Division IA player who meets the above requirements is eligible for consideration from the Rotary Lombardi Award Selection Committee. This committee is comprised of more than 500 members, including all past winners and finalists, all Division IA head coaches, and a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

The Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, intended as a reference tool for the Selection Committee, will be periodically updated and revised up to the first round of voting to determine the 12 Semifinalists for 2011.

Last year’s Rotary Lombardi Award winner, Nick Fairley (Auburn), was drafted by the Detroit Lions and Finalist Adrian Clayborn (Iowa) was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both in the first round of the National Football League draft.

The 42^nd Rotary Lombardi Award will be held on December 6-7, 2011 at Reliant Center in Houston, Texas. For more information on the two-day schedule of events and ticket opportunities, please visit www.rotarylombardiaward.org. 

For the complete Lombard Award Watch List, click here.