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Lombardi Award Semifinalists

HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / January 14, 2019 / Lombardi Honors is proud to announce the "Lombardi 7" Finalists for the 2018 Lombardi Award. The Lombardi is presented to an NCAA Division 1 football player, regardless of position, based on Performance and Leadership honed by Character and Resiliency. The Award will be presented on Friday January 25th, in Houston, TX.

Lombardi Honors Leadership… Leadership is influence, defined by the following 7 traits

  1. Awareness
  2. Decisiveness
  3. Focus
  4. Leveraging Team Strengths
  5. Inspiration
  6. Performance and
  7. Accountability

Triggered by three components:

  1. Skill: The ability to achieve
  2. Knowledge: The understanding to achieve
  3. Disposition: Harnessing ones "Will": The capacity to convert skill and knowledge into achievement

The list is highlighted by 2 quarterbacks, 2 Offensive Linemen, 1 Defensive Lineman and 2 Defensive Backs. Each of four the FBS playoff teams are represented in the final 7.

Ugo Amadi, Oregon (S)
Julian Love, Notre Dame (CB)
Gardner Minshew II, Washington St (QB)
Kyler Murray,Oklahoma (QB)
Dalton Risner, Kansas St (OT)
Jonah Williams, Alabama (OT)
Christian Wilkins, Clemson (DT)

Injuries have derailed a number of potential Lombardi candidates including 2017 Lombardi Award winner Bryce Love - RB - Stanford. The total package, on and off the field. A game breaking running back and biology major who intends his second career to be as a pediatrician, with a special interest in stem cell research.

Along with the presentation of the 2018 Lombardi Award, the exclusive Lombardi Honors event with also feature the Lombardi Leadership Forum: Conversation with Gridiron Greats, presenting former Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana and Southern Cal Safety Ronnie Lott as Lombardi Fellows, Both are college & NFL Football Hall of Famers and Captains for multiple San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl Champion teams. Lombardi Fellows include Hall of Fame Broadcaster Lesley Visser, Football Great and Philanthropist Keith Jackson, and International Space Station Commander - Colonial Randy Bresnik.

Proceeds support cancer research and treatment organizations including Texas Children's Cancer Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center and Harris Health Cancer Treatment Centers.

Lombardi Finalists

Ugo Amadi, S, Oregon, Sr.

Described as the Quarterback of the Defense, he is like a traffic cop on the field. Versatility is his calling card, Amadi is the only player in the country to score on a punt return and an interception. Unanimously named to the Duck's Leadership Council, Amadi was also the player who took it upon himself to organize and run unofficial practices over the summer. He describes his influence by the energy he brings to his team every game, every day.

Julian Love, CB, Notre Dame, Jr.
Consensus All-America (AP - Walter Camp - FWAA - Sporting News) Thorpe Award finalist.

Notre Dame's all-time leader in pass breakups. Good reason - He's the ultimate student of the game, Love is a voracious consumer of video, and younger players follow his example. Head Coach Brian Kelly described Love: "It's how he handles himself both on and off the field. People will follow him, and they'll follow him because they respect him. He's not afraid to get on his teammates if they're not doing the right thing…Julian is a great leader because he espouses all the traits that you need. That's the impact he has in our program."

Gardner Minshew II, QB, Washington St, Sr.
Davey O'Brien and Walter Camp finalist

Looking to a future career as a coach, Minshew agreed to play a graduate transfer year as a back up at Alabama, with sights set on a Grad Assistant position. But it all changed when Mike Leach challenged him to lead the nation in passing yards at Washington State. A player at heart, Minshew took the challenge, and did exactly what Leach offered. Minshew's enthusiasm rubbed off on the Cougars leading them to far overachieve expectations. In the meantime, his personality, southern charm along with facial hair and aviator shades led to an explosion of copycats among the WASU faithful. When asked to compare Minshew, Leach said . "He kind of reminds me of a cross between Brett Favre and Jim McMahon, maybe. Something like that."
High praise - indeed!

Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma, Jr.
1st Team All-America (AP - FWAA) Heisman & O'Brien winner, Maxwell & Walter Camp finalist

He describes his job as staying cool and collected, when everything else if flying around him. With a baseball career in his future, he became the most exciting and disruptive force in college football. Based on his wardrobe, Murray exudes confidence, and that is at the heart of his leadership - his teammates notice and follow. Murray transferred from Texas A&M, sat out a year, then backed up Baker Mayfield for a year. Patience paid off… and he proved that following a legend was not an impossible task, just another challenge.

Dalton Risner, OT, Kansas St, Sr.
Campbell & Wuerffel finalist

A three-year captain and two-year 1st team Academic All-Big 12 performer. Risner leads the way… as one of the nations best offensive lineman, and as a leader in the community. His civic engagement is legendary. A member of the 2017 and 2018 AFCA Good Works team, honoring student-athletes who "demonstrate a unique dedication to community service and desire to make a positive impact on the lives around them," One of Risner's service initiatives is the RiseUp Foundation, which he started to encourage everyone to RISE above the evil and sin in this world and be a positive shining light in the lives of others. He is the definition of student-athlete-humanitarian.

Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama, Jr.
Unanimous All-America (AP - Walter Camp - FWAA – Sporting News – AFCA) Outland finalist

Finance Major who will put it to good personal use when he enters the NFL as a Unanimous All-America offensive lineman. Decision to attend Alabama was based on the level of competition and dedication to hard work that is advertised and demanded. One Teammate said - "I just think that's how he's built and that's what's making him so successful; he's just got that great football mind." Former Lombardi Award winner Jonathan Allen marvels at Williams' technique and said that he "plays beyond his age." After his freshman season - When he got home, his mother said that her son, an avid reader, started his next book: "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius. It was heady stuff for a freshman in college, but Williams wasn't a typical freshman. A coach said - "He was like a 28-year-old man and not an 18-year-old kid," Still is!

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson, Sr.
Unanimous All-America (AP - Walter Camp - FWAA - Sporting News - AFCA)

Ringleader of senior class that won 55 games in 4 years, and heart of the Clemson defensive line that lead the nation in yards per play, yards per rush, and was third in sacks. With Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant, he bypassed the NFL, for the express purpose of winning another national championship. Mission accomplished! Wilkins was the first Clemson player to win the Campbell Trophy as the nation's top scholar athlete. He graduated in 2 1/2 years, received a masters degree before he played his final game, and had at least a 3.0 GPA every semester while at Clemson. As a 15 year old - he faced the tragic death of his grandfather - Eurie Stamps. His grandfather was the most influential male in his life. To this day Wilkins lives life as a tribute to Stamps, on the field he wore #42, the year Eurie Stamps was born (1942). He wants to be like his grandfather: a friend to all, a frequent laugher and someone who brings others joy. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said of Wilkins: "He's interested in a million things. Football is important to him and nobody works harder, but he's a very diverse person. He's either going to be the President, or he's going to know him. That's just who he is. He's going to do unbelievable things in life."

For more information, please contact us at team@lombardihonors.com A Foundation Communications Representative will tend to your needs. Please leave a call-back name and number and any additional relevant information.

SOURCE: Lombardi Honors



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