Mississippi State Players on Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, 2014
July 14, 2014 | Football
HOUSTON - Freshman All-American defensive lineman Chris Jones earned the first preseason watch list selection of his career Monday when he was placed on the Rotary Lombardi Award list. Jones joins junior linebacker Benardrick McKinney as Mississippi State representatives on the list for the top collegiate lineman.
A total of 123 players from 76 universities were selected to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List.
Jones played in all 13 games with three starts during his rookie campaign and was named a Freshman All-American by Bleacher Report, Athlon Sports and 247Sports. An Associated Press All-SEC Honorable Mention selection, Jones posted a team-best 10 quarterback hurries and tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 7.0.
The Houston, Miss., native booked a personal-best 2.0 hits for lost yardage against Ole Miss and earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors as a result of his performance. Jones tallied his second career sack against No. 1 Alabama, dragging down AJ McCarron for a seven-yard loss in the opening quarter. He broke out with a career-best game against LSU, recording a personal-best four tackles, including two TFL. He tossed the Tigers' Zach Mettenberger for a 10-yard loss for his first career sack.
The Rotary Lombardi Award relies on approximately 300 voters to select the winner. The first round of voting determines the 12 semifinalists while the second round sets the four finalists. The final round of voting will determine the winner of The 45th Rotary Lombardi Award, which will be announced live on Dec. 10, 2014, at the Bayou Music Center in Houston.
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MSU Players on 2014 NCFAA Watch Lists
Maxwell Award: Dak Prescott
Bednarik Award: Benardrick McKinney
Hornung Award: Jameon Lewis
Mackey Award: Malcolm Johnson
Rimington Trophy: Dillon Day
Nagurski Trophy: Benardrick McKinney
Butkus Award: Benardrick McKinney
Lombardi Award: Benardrick McKinney
Lombardi Award: Chris Jones
