Penn State is opening camp in Happy Valley as the watch list season begins to wind down. But two more Penn State linemen had their names added to a watch list on Friday with the release of the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list.
Offensive lineman Rasheed Walker and defensive lineman PJ Mustipher were each named to the watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award, which goes to the nation’s top lineman in college football at the end of the season.
Walker is also on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to college football’s top interior lineman. The Lombardi Award can go to any lineman regardless of position. Walker is considered by many to be a possible first-round draft pick in the 2022 NFL draft, and the preseason accolades back up the idea he may be Penn State’s top offensive lineman in years.
Mustipher was previously added to the watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. He is the lone returning starter on Penn State’s defensive line, although offseason transfers have helped to provide some experience in the trenches in a busy offseason.
Penn State has two all-time winners of the Lombardi Award since the award was first presented in 1970 to Ohio State’s Jim Stillwagon. Defensive tackle Bruce Clark was Penn State’s first Lombardi Award winner in 1978. In 2015, Carl Nassib became the second player from Penn State to win the award.
Tulsa’s Zaven Collins took home the Lombardi Award for the 2020 season. The most recent player from the Big Ten to win the award was Nassib in 2015.
.@KingPJ55 & @Cin5oTre3 have been named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List đź‘Š#WeAre pic.twitter.com/unUc6qAF7J
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 6, 2021
Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.
[lawrence-related id=3005,2990,2728,3764,3982]
[vertical-gallery id=2712]
[vertical-gallery id=2058]