Kelvin Banks Jr., the Texas Longhorns’ star offensive tackle, has added another milestone to his impressive career by winning the 2024 Rotary Lombardi Award. This prestigious honor goes to the nation’s top collegiate lineman and puts Banks in the same category as Longhorn greats like Kenneth Sims, Tony Degrate, and Brian Orakpo.
Banks, a Summer Creek High School graduate, has been a cornerstone of the Longhorns’ success. Over three seasons, he’s started 37 games at left tackle, allowed only three sacks, and helped Texas earn a spot in the College Football Playoff this year. His dominance on the field is a testament to his talent and hard work.
What Is the Lombardi Award?
The Rotary Lombardi Award, established in 1970 in memory of legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi, is given annually in Houston, Texas. It celebrates players who show leadership, discipline, and toughness, with a focus on linemen, linebackers, and tight ends.
The trophy itself is a block of granite, a nod to Lombardi’s Fordham University days when his offensive line was known as the “Seven Blocks of Granite.” Over the years, players like Orlando Pace, the only two-time winner, and Aaron Donald have taken home the award.
Now, Banks joins this exclusive club, becoming the fourth Longhorn in history to win. It’s yet another milestone for a player who’s set to make waves at the next level.
Past Lombardi Award Winners
Year | Player | School | Position
1970 | Jim Stillwagon | Ohio State | MG
1971 | Walt Patulski | Notre Dame | DT
1972 | Rich Glover | Nebraska | MG
1973 | John Hicks | Ohio State (2) | OT
1974 | Randy White | Maryland | DT
1975 | Lee Roy Selmon | Oklahoma | DE
1976 | Wilson Whitley | Houston | DE
1977 | Ross Browner | Notre Dame (2) | DE
1978 | Bruce Clark | Penn State | DT
1979 | Brad Budde | USC | OG
1980 | Hugh Green | Pittsburgh | DE
1981 | Kenneth Sims | Texas | DT
1982 | Dave Rimington | Nebraska (2) | C
1983 | Dean Steinkuhler | Nebraska (3) | OT
1984 | Tony Degrate | Texas (2) | DT
1985 | Tony Casillas | Oklahoma (2) | DT
1986 | Cornelius Bennett | Alabama | LB
1987 | Chris Spielman | Ohio State (3) | LB
1988 | Tracy Rocker | Auburn | DT
1989 | Percy Snow | Michigan State | LB
1990 | Chris Zorich | Notre Dame (3) | DT
1991 | Steve Emtman | Washington | DT
1992 | Marvin Jones | Florida State | LB
1993 | Aaron Taylor | Notre Dame (4) | OT
1994 | Warren Sapp | Miami (FL) | DT
1995 | Orlando Pace | Ohio State (4) | OT
1996 | Orlando Pace (2) | Ohio State (5) | OT
1997 | Grant Wistrom | Nebraska (4) | DE
1998 | Dat Nguyen | Texas A&M | LB
1999 | Corey Moore | Virginia Tech | DE
2000 | Jamal Reynolds | Florida State (2) | DT
2001 | Julius Peppers | North Carolina | DE
2002 | Terrell Suggs | Arizona State | DE
2003 | Tommie Harris | Oklahoma (3) | DT
2004 | David Pollack | Georgia | DE
2005 | A. J. Hawk | Ohio State (6) | LB
2006 | LaMarr Woodley | Michigan | LB
2007 | Glenn Dorsey | LSU | DT
2008 | Brian Orakpo | Texas (3) | DE
2009 | Ndamukong Suh | Nebraska (5) | DT
2010 | Nick Fairley | Auburn (2) | DT
2011 | Luke Kuechly | Boston College | LB
2012 | Manti Te’o | Notre Dame (5) | LB
2013 | Aaron Donald | Pittsburgh (2) | DT
2014 | Scooby Wright III | Arizona | LB
2015 | Carl Nassib | Penn State (2) | DE
2016 | Jonathan Allen | Alabama (2) | DE
2017 | Bryce Love | Stanford | RB
2018 | Ugo Amadi | Oregon | S
2019 | Joe Burrow | LSU (2) | QB
2020 | Zaven Collins | Tulsa | LB
2021 | Aidan Hutchinson | Michigan (2) | DE
2022 | Will Anderson Jr. | Alabama (3) | LB
2023 | Laiatu Latu | UCLA | DE
2024 | Kelvin Banks Jr. | Texas | OT
