UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr heads the list of four finalists for the Lombardi Award, given annually to the top lineman or linebacker in the country.
All the finalists are defenders. Barr, who should be considered the favorite to win it, is joined by Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald, Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley and Missouri defensive end Michael Sam. Donald, Mosley and Sam also are finalists for the Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the nation's top defensive player.
The winner will be announced Dec. 11.
Barr is third in the Pac-12 with 14.5 tackles for loss and is tied for the league lead with five forced fumbles. He has 51 tackles overall. Donald is the nation's leader in tackles for loss with 22.5. Sam leads the SEC and is tied for seventh nationally (with Donald) in sacks with 10. Mosley is top-ranked Alabama's leading tackler with 81; he also leads the Tide with seven tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries.
Last season's winner was Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o. The most recent offensive lineman to win the award was Ohio State tackle Orlando Pace in 1996. Since then, 11 defensive linemen and five linebackers have been honored. There were four offensive linemen on the semifinalist list: Michigan tackle Taylor Lewan, Texas A&M tackle Jake Matthews, Baylor guard Cyril Richardson and Stanford guard David Yankey.
The selection committee numbers more than 500, which includes all past winners and finalists, all Division I head coaches and a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
