2018 Preseason Award Projections: Lombardi Award

By Charlie Campbell
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Heading into the 2018 college football season, WalterFootball.com will debut our projections for the nation’s leaders during the fall. The All-American teams always have some surprises, and the next fall’s stars could be the headline players next April for the 2019 NFL Draft. We also will project the winners of the postseason awards that are given out to the best of college football.

The Lombardi Award is given to the most outstanding college football player. Last year’s winner was Stanford running back Bryce Love.

Lombardi Award Winner:

Devin White, LB, LSU

The Lombardi Award has a wide range of eligible players, but prior to Love winning it last year, it had not gone to an offensive player since Orlando Pace in 1996. Thus, I’m going to lean toward the top defensive players as my candidates. The Lombardi Award has a preference for defensive tackles and linebackers, although there have been some defensive ends sprinkled in. It has been a few years since a linebacker won the award, and I think that could change this year as White is a tremendous player who I think could end up winning a ton of post-season honors.

White was perhaps the best linebacker in college football last year, which is saying something considering Georgia’s Roquan Smith and Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds were top-25 picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. White had an excellent 2017 season, totaling 133 tackles with 14 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes broken up and one interception. He didn’t get the attention of other SEC linebackers like Smith and Rashaan Evans, but that should change this fall. Here is how one of the National scouts summarized White, “This kid could end up being similar to Ray Lewis. I’d take White over any of the linebackers [from the 2018 NFL Draft] – Smith, Evans, Edmunds.” White is a favorite to rack up another huge season of production, and that could earn him a lot of hardware, including the Lombardi Award.




Lombardi Runner-Up:

Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama

Two years ago, I picked Jonathan Allen to be the runner-up, so I was close to getting it right because he won the award after his phenomenal senior year. Last year, another Alabama player, Minkah Fitzpatrick, was a finalist, and of all the players on the Crimson Tide in 2018, Davis could be the most talented. As a freshman, Davis had only four tackles and a sack in backup duty. Thus many didn’t forsee Davis’ breakout 2017 season as the replacement for Allen. Davis formed a lethal interior with Da’Ron Payne and Davis was Alabama’s most consistent pass rusher. He totaled 8.5 sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, 69 tackles, and one interception. The sophomore came up with some big performances in the playoff games to help Alabama win another National Championship. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Davis is a freaky athlete with a ton of upside. With the good talent around him, he should produce another big season and have a real shot at winning a number of postseason awards.




Lombardi Dark Horse:

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Oliver dominated at the point of attack as a freshman, starting with his debut game against Oklahoma. From there, he has overwhelmed offensive linemen with his quickness, athletic ability, and physicality. In 2016, Oliver totaled 66 tackles with 22.5 tackles for a loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, and nine passes batted. In 2017, he had 73 tackles with 16.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, three passes batted and two forced fumbles. Oliver continued the strong play from his debut season despite seeing extra blocking attention all year.

The 6-foot-3, 290-pounder is going to see a ton of double teams as a junior, but Oliver is good enough to produce even with the extra attention. However without as much talent around him, Oliver might not have the production of players like White and Davis, who have other first-rounders playing around them. Oliver is definitely in the running for the Lombardi Award.

Honorable Mentions: Auburn DT Derrick Brown, Clemson DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson DT Christian Wilkins, Ohio State DT Dre’Mont Jones, Auburn DT Dontavius Russell, Michigan DT Rashan Gary, Mississippi State DT Jeff Simmons, Alabama DT Isaiah Buggs, Notre Dame DT Jerry Tillery, Florida State DT Demarcus Christmas, Missouri DT Terry Beckner, Washington DT Greg Gaines, Kansas DT Daniel Wise and Virginia Tech DT Ricky Walker.

Boston College DE Zach Allen, Florida State DE Brian Burns, Ohio State DE Nick Bosa, Clemson DE Clelin Ferrell, Miami DE Joe Jackson, Mississippi State DE Montez Sweat, Clemson DE Austin Bryant, Florida DE CeCe Jefferson, Old Dominion DE Oshane Ximines, Wyoming DE Carl Granderson, USC DE Porter Gustin, TCU DE Ben Banogu, USC DE Christian Rector, Iowa DE Anthony Nelson, Notre Dame DE Daelin Hayes, Penn State DE Shareef Miller, Louisiana Tech DE Jaylon Ferguson and Florida DE Jabari Zuniga.

Wisconsin LB T.J. Edwards, Clemson LB Tre Lamar, Michigan LB Devin Bush, Vanderbilt LB Charles Wright, Alabama LB Mack Wilson, USC LB Cameron Smith, Notre Dame LB Te’Von Coney, N.C. State LB Germaine Pratt, Michigan State LB Joe Bachie, Marshall LB Juwon Youngand and Miami LB Shaq Quarterman.

Washington OT Trey Adams and Ole Miss OT Greg Little.

Stanford RB Bryce Love, Oklahoma RB Rodney Anderson, Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins, Kentucky RB Bennie Snell, Alabama RB Najee Harris, Alabama RB Damien Harris, Michigan State RB L.J. Scott and Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor