May 08, 2001
Texas A&M's center Seth McKinney has been named to the Lombardi Award Watch List for the 2001 season. The Lombardi Award is presented to the nation's top lineman each season. Down linemen and defenders who play within five yards of the line of scrimmage are eligible.
McKinney, who has already received his undergraduate degree from the School of Business in information and operations management, will be a senior athletically in the fall and will be taking courses toward earning his master's degree. He was recently named the male Bill Erwin Scholar-Athlete of the Year at Texas A&M at the annual Texas A&M/Verizon Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet.
On the gridiron, McKinney earned third-team All-America honors and was a first-team All-Big 12 selection last season. He was also named to the CoSIDA Verizon Academic All-Region squad and has been a three-time member of the Academic All-Big 12 team. McKinney is the anchor of an offensive line which allowed only 10 sacks despite the team throwing for the second-most attempts in school history.
The Austin Westlake High School product, redshirted his true freshman year and has started every game possible in his career. He can become only the fifth player in Division I-A history to start all four seasons at the center position. Entering the 2001 season, McKinney has started 38 straight games. Former Aggie linebacker Dat Nguyen, the 1998 Lombardi Award winner, set the school record for career starts with 51 straight.
The Executive Committee of the 2001 Rotary Lombardi Award has released its Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List comprised of 52 preliminary candidates for the 32nd Rotary Lombardi Award. A complete list of the names can be found at www.Rotarylombardiaward.com. This year's award winner will be announced on December 5 in Houston.
Among the Big 12 Conference, Rocky Calmus from Oklahoma, Andre Gurode from Colorado, Jason Sykes from Colorado and Tracey Wistrom from Nebraska are among the candidates listed. The Watch List is intended as a reference tool for the 300-member selection committee. The list will be updated and revised through the conclusion of the voting to determine the 12 semifinalists for the 2001 honor.
The Aggies open the 2001 season on Sept. 1 at Kyle Field against McNeese State.
2001 ROTARY LOMBARDI WATCH LIST
(prelimimary list as of 5/7/01)
Last Name First Name POS School
Afariogun Mobolaji TE Western Michigan
Allsbury Anthony LB Western Michigan
Arnold Andre DE Memphis
Beck Wil DL Idaho
Briggs Lance LB Arizona
Brown Alex DE Florida
Bryant Wendell DT Wisconsin
Busta Jesse LB Utah State
Calmus Rocky LB Oklahoma
Edwards Kalimba LB South Carolina
Ena Justin LB BYU
Fe'esago Chris OL San Jose State
Fisher Levar LB North Carolina St.
Foote Larry LB Michigan
Freeney Dwight DT Syracuse
Gathers Greg DL Georgia Tech
Ghent Ronnie TE Louisville
Gibson Chris OL Oregon State
Gonzalez Joaquin OL Miami
Griffin Pernell LB East Carolina
Gurode Andre OL Colorado
Haggan Mario LB Mississippi State
Harper Alan DL Fresno State
Henderson John DT Tennessee
Johnson Brian DE New Mexico
Johnson Garry T Arkansas State
Kassell Brad LB North Texas
Kaufusi Doug OL Utah
Knight Bryan DT Pittsburgh
McKinney Seth OL Texas A&M
McKinnie Bryant OL Miami
Metcalf Terrence OL Mississippi
Ochoa Jose TE Colorado State
Palepoi Anton DE UNLV
Pearson Mike OL Florida
Peppers Julius DE North Carolina
Peters Scott OL Arizona State
Pugh David DT Virginia Tech
Putnam Nate DE Utah State
Schokey Jeremy TE Miami
Simmons Kendall OL Auburn
Smith Clifton LB Syracuse
Smith Derek TE Kentucky
Stevens Jerramy TE Washington
Stratton Tim TE Purdue
Sykes Jashon LB Colorado
Taylor Ben LB Virginia Tech
Thornhill Josh LB Michigan State
Tripplett Larry DT Washington
Williams Larry LB Northern Illinois
Wistrom Tracey TE Nebraska
Yates Max LB Marshall
Young Kyle C Clemson