2026 Semifinalist Watchlist · Updated Oct 22, 2026
The 2026 Semifinalists
12 semifinalists, named Nov 4 from the midseason watchlist. Four finalists are announced Nov 18. 12 linemen and linebackers from 3 conferences, selected by the Lombardi Award® Committee. Players may be added through the midseason update on Oct 14; semifinalists are named Nov 4 and finalists Nov 18.
12Players
3Conferences
4Offense
8Defense
Conference
Position
Players
Xavier AtkinsAuburn · SECLinebacker · Defense
Rasheem BilesTexas · SECLinebacker · Defense
Drew BoboGeorgia · SECCenter · Offense
H
OCAnthony BoswellHouston · Big 12Center · Offense
Benjamin BrahmerPenn State · Big TenTight end · Offense
Sammy BrownClemson · ACCLinebacker · Defense
Terrance Carter Jr.Texas Tech · Big 12Tight end · Offense
Chris ColeGeorgia · SECLinebacker · Defense
John Henry DaleyMichigan · Big TenDefensive end · Defense
Steven DemboskiDelaware · C-USACenter · Offense
Will EcholesOle Miss · SECDefensive tackle · Defense
Jaxton EckNew Mexico · Mountain WestLinebacker · Defense
Kolbe FieldsLouisiana Tech · Sun BeltLinebacker · Defense
Blake FletcherAir Force · Mountain WestLinebacker · Defense
Paolo GennarelliArmy · AACGuard · Offense
T
SemifinalistDTXavier GilliamTennessee · SECDefensive tackle · Defense
T
OTTrevor GoosbyTexas · SECTackle · Offense
Cayden GreenMissouri · SECTackle · Offense
Trey'Dez GreenLSU · SECTight end · Offense
Zach GreenbergJames Madison · Sun BeltCenter · Offense
KS
DEWendell GregoryKansas State · Big 12Defensive end · Defense
Rolijah HardyIndiana · Big TenLinebacker · Defense
K
SemifinalistOTLance HeardKentucky · SECTackle · Offense
Will HeldtClemson · ACCDefensive end · Defense
DJ HicksTexas A&M · SECDefensive tackle · Defense
Carson HinzmanOhio State · Big TenCenter · Offense
A.J. Holmes Jr.Texas Tech · Big 12Defensive tackle · Defense
Daeden HopkinsMissouri · SECEdge rusher · Defense
Baron HopsonKennesaw State · C-USALinebacker · Defense
Shadre HurstHouston · Big 12Guard · Offense
Greg JohnsonMinnesota · Big TenGuard · Offense
Jamari JohnsonOregon · Big TenTight end · Offense
Isaiah JonesIndiana · Big TenLinebacker · Defense
Anthonie KnappNotre Dame · IndependentsGuard · Offense
Dylan LaBarberaNevada · Mountain WestEdge rusher · Defense
Iapani LalouluOregon · Big TenCenter · Offense
Trevor LauckIowa · Big TenTackle · Offense
Xavier LewisNorth Carolina · ACCDefensive tackle · Defense
Clev LubinLouisville · ACCEdge rusher · Defense
Wendell Moe Jr.Tennessee · SECGuard · Offense
Luke MontgomeryOhio State · Big TenGuard · Offense
Sammy OmosighoUCLA · Big TenLinebacker · Defense
Tobi OsunsanmiIndiana · Big TenDefensive end · Defense
H
TEPatrick OvermyerHouston · Big 12Tight end · Offense
Kade PieperIowa · Big TenGuard · Offense
Ben RobertsTexas Tech · Big 12Linebacker · Defense
Anto SakaTexas A&M · SECDefensive end · Defense
Chad SchusterWestern Michigan · MACTackle · Offense
Jordan SeatonLSU · SECTackle · Offense
Austin SiereveldOhio State · Big TenGuard · Offense
Colin SimmonsTexas · SECEdge rusher · Defense
Brady SmallArmy · AACCenter · Offense
Anthony SmithMinnesota · Big TenDefensive end · Defense
Carter SmithIndiana · Big TenTackle · Offense
Donnie SmithTroy · Sun BeltEdge rusher · Defense
SC
EdgeDylan StewartSouth Carolina · SECEdge rusher · Defense
David StoneOklahoma · SECDefensive tackle · Defense
Evan TengesdahlCincinnati · Big 12Guard · Offense
Tyrique TuckerIndiana · Big TenDefensive tackle · Defense
Teitum TuiotiOregon · Big TenEdge rusher · Defense
Matayo UiagaleleiOregon · Big TenEdge rusher · Defense
Cade UluaveBYU · Big 12Linebacker · Defense
Princewill UmanmielenLSU · SECDefensive end · Defense
Kyngstonn Viliamu-AsaNotre Dame · IndependentsLinebacker · Defense
Jayden Virgin-MorganBoise State · Pac-12Edge rusher · Defense
A'Mauri WashingtonOregon · Big TenDefensive tackle · Defense
Whit WeeksLSU · SECLinebacker · Defense
OS
LBEthan WesloskiOklahoma State · Big 12Linebacker · Defense
No players match. Clear a filter or two.
| Player | School | Conference | Position | Side | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drew Bobo | Georgia | SEC | Center | Offense | Semifinalist |
| Chris Cole | Georgia | SEC | Linebacker | Defense | Semifinalist |
| Will Echoles | Ole Miss | SEC | Defensive tackle | Defense | Semifinalist |
| Xavier Gilliam | Tennessee | SEC | Defensive tackle | Defense | Semifinalist |
| Lance Heard | Kentucky | SEC | Tackle | Offense | Semifinalist |
| Trevor Lauck | Iowa | Big Ten | Tackle | Offense | Semifinalist |
| Sammy Omosigho | UCLA | Big Ten | Linebacker | Defense | Semifinalist |
| Tobi Osunsanmi | Indiana | Big Ten | Defensive end | Defense | Semifinalist |
| Kade Pieper | Iowa | Big Ten | Guard | Offense | Semifinalist |
| Colin Simmons | Texas | SEC | Edge rusher | Defense | Semifinalist |
| Cade Uluave | BYU | Big 12 | Linebacker | Defense | Semifinalist |
| Princewill Umanmielen | LSU | SEC | Defensive end | Defense | Semifinalist |
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