Auburn's Carl Lawson, Montravius Adams on Lombardi Top 20

Nov. 15, 2016

By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn defensive linemen Carl Lawson and Montravius Adams are among the Top 20 players in line for the Lombardi Award, which goes to college football's top player who exemplifies football skills and "discipline, virtue and wisdom."

The Lombardi Award announced its Top 20 players Tuesday.

Lawson leads Auburn with 13 tackles for a loss, including a team-best 9½ sacks. Adams' 34 tackles are more than any Auburn lineman. He has eight tackles for a loss and four sacks.

Lawson needs three sacks to pass Nick Fairley for the school's single-season sack record.

"Carl has been one of our top players and one of the best players in college football," said Auburn coach Gus Malzahn on Tuesday. "He has stayed healthy this year and has been a big-time impact player. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he accomplishes that."

Malzahn said Adams is "a different player this year."

"He was a really good player before, but he' really raised his level. He's becoming a man. He's growing up. He's more mature with his approach to practice and games. He's one of our best players. He's an impact player."

Five of the Top 20 players up for the Lombardi Award will meet on Nov. 26 in Tuscaloosa when Auburn visits Alabama. Auburn has already played Top 20 players from Clemson, Ole Miss and Texas A&M.

The Lombardi Award honored the nation's top college lineman from 1970-2015. The award expanded its reach to players at any position this season. The award committee said the winner should "exemplify the discipline, virtue and wisdom that defined Vincent Lombardi's exceptional brand of leadership."

The award ceremony is Feb. 11 in Houston.

The Top 20 Rotary Lombardi Award Nominations

Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine