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Heading into the 2014 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 this coming fall’s stars could be the headline players next May for the 2015 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 top offensive linemen, defensive linemen, tight end or linebacker in college football. Last year’s winner was Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald.
Lombardi Award Winner:
Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska The Lombardi Award favors defensive players. In fact, the last offensive player to win it was Ohio State offensive tackle Orlando Pace in 1995 and 1996. Thus, I make the selection of Gregory with some level of confidence. The sophomore took college football by storm in 2013as one of the best pass-rushers in the nation. The 6-foot-6, 255-pounder has great speed and agility to rush the quarterback.
After excelling in the junior college ranks, Gregory was one of the most sought after junior college players in years. He landed at Nebraska and made an immediate impact for the Cornhuskers while being one of the best pass-rushers in the nation. In only 10 starts, Gregory totaled 66 tackles with 19 tackles for a loss, 10.5 sacks, one pass batted and an interception.
Gregory will see tons of double-team attention in 2014, but Nebraksa will move him around to find good rushing opportunities. Also, he just overwhelms the opposition, so I think he’ll continue to dominate slow Big Ten offensive linemen. Gregory should be in line for another big sack total this fall and a lot of postseason hardware. I see the Lombardi Award in his future.
Lombardi Runner-Up:
Vic Beasley, DE, South Clemson Beasley enters his senior campaign with over 20 sacks across the past two years. His blinding speed off the edge will help him to continue his torrid pace in 2014.
Beasley (6-2, 235) was a tremendous pass-rusher for Clemson last year with 13 sacks. He also picked up 23 tackles for a loss, 41 tackles, six passes batted, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Beasley ended the season in impressive fashion as he outplayed South Carolina and Ohio State. As a sophomore, Beasley had 14 tackles with eight sacks and a forced fumble.
The senior is going to see a lot of double-teams this year. Clemson will probably move Beasley around and to find him good looks to get after the quarterback. He also has great speed and agility to best ACC offensive linemen. Georgia had to do the same thing with Jarvis Jones a few years ago, and he was able to maintain his production. I think Beasley will have a big season, but Gregory has more overwhelming skills to beat the double-teams.
Lombardi Dark Horse:
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State Bosa was one of the best freshmen in college football last season and clearly is full of talent. The 6-foot-5, 285-pounder has quickness to go with natural strength. After a year of experience and development, Bosa should be ready to explode in the Big Ten this season.
Bosa was an honorable mention Big Ten performer last year, who racked up 44 tackles with 13.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks and one forced fumble. To end the season, he played well against Michigan State in the conference championship.
With Noah Spence on the other side, Bosa should see a lot of favorable blocking sets. He also looks capable of rushing from the inside and beating guards with a speed mismatch. Don’t be surprised if Bosa has a massive 2014 season.
Honorable Mentions:
USC DT Leonard Williams, Alabama DT A’Shawn Robinson, Ohio State DE Noah Spence, Michigan State DE Shilique Calhoun, Texas DE Cedric Reed, Florida DE Dante Fowler, Kentucky DE Alvin Dupree, TCU DE Devonte Fields, Ole Miss DE Robert Nkemdiche, Florida State DT Mario Edwards, Ohio State DT Michael Bennett, Mississippi State DT Chris Jones, UCLA DT Ellis McCarthy, Rice DT Christian Covington, Miami ILB Denzel Perryman, Mississippi State ILB Benardrick McKinney, UCLA ILB Erik Kendricks, Georgia ILB Ramik Wilson, Tennessee ILB A.J. Johnson, UCLA OLB Miles Jack, Oklahoma OLB Eric Striker and Utah State OLB Kyler Frackrell
Florida State TE Nick O’Leary, Alabama TE O.J. Howard, Oregon TE Johnny Mundt, Stanford OT Andrus Peat, Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Florida State OT Cameron Erving, LSU OT La’el Collins, Iowa OT Brandon Scherff, Baylor OT Spencer Drango, Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil, Texas Tech OT Le’Raven Clark, Florida OT Chaz Green, Auburn C Reese Dismukes, Oregon C Hroniss Grasu, Oregon State C Isaac Seumalo, Duke G Laken Tomlinson, LSU G Vadal Alexander, Florida State G Tre Jackson, Florida State G Josue Matias and Alabama G Arie Kouandjio.
2014 Preseason All-American Projections:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | P/K
Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Lombardi Award | Thorpe Award | Butkus Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Biletnikoff Award | Walker Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Groza Award | Guy Award | Bednarik Award | Camp Award | Maxwell Award | Nagurski Award | Rodgers Award | Hornung Award | Heisman Trophy | College Playoff Projections
QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | P/K
Rimington Trophy | Mackey Award | Lombardi Award | Thorpe Award | Butkus Award | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Outland Trophy | Biletnikoff Award | Walker Award | Hendricks Award | O'Brien Award | Groza Award | Guy Award | Bednarik Award | Camp Award | Maxwell Award | Nagurski Award | Rodgers Award | Hornung Award | Heisman Trophy | College Playoff Projections
NFL Picks - Dec. 15
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
