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Lincoln - Husker defenders Lavonte David, Cameron Meredith and Jared Crick headline the 2011 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List released Tuesday.
The trio will bid to become the sixth Husker to win this prestigious award, joining past winners Ndamukong Suh (2009), Grant Wistrom (1997), Dean Steinkuhler (1983), Dave Rimington (1982) and Rich Glover (1972).
Crick, a Lombardi Award semifinalist in 2010, anchored a Husker defensive line that helped Nebraska rank in the top 12 nationally in scoring defense and total defense in 2010. He totaled 70 tackles, including 36 solo stops, and had 9.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss to rank second in the Big 12.
David, a first-team All-Big 12 pick and the league's newcomer of the year, recorded 152 tackles to set the single-season school record. He ranked 11th nationally in tackles per game and was second on the team in sacks (six), tackles for loss (15 for 60 yards) and pass breakups to earn first-team All-America honors from several outlets.
Meredith becomes the sixth Husker named to a preseason watch list, as the 6-foot-4, 260-pound defense end is in his second season as a starter for NU. Last year, Meredith totaled 64 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, while ranking second on the Blackshirts with 10 quarterback hurries. He had at least five tackles in seven games and was a second-team All-Big 12 pick by the league's head coaches.
The candidates earned a place on the Lombardi watch list by being named to their respective all-conference first team last season as selected by the conference's head coaches or by being projected to be an All-American or first team all-conference player for the coming season. The Huskers are among 16 Big Ten players named to the watch list on Tuesday, as offensive and defensive linemen and linebackers are eligible for the Lombardi Award.
Huskers on 2011 Watch Lists
Bednarik Award - Alfonzo Dennard, Jared Crick, Lavonte David
Maxwell Award - Taylor Martinez
Mackey Award - Kyler Reed
Thorpe Award - Alfonzo Dennard
Nagurski Trophy - Alfonzo Dennard, Jared Crick, Lavonte David
Outland Trophy - Jared Crick
Lombardi Award - Jared Crick, Cameron Meredith, Lavonte David