Kelvin Banks Jr. wins 2024 Lombardi Award

HOUSTON – University of Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. has won the 2024 Lombardi Award. The announcement was made at a ceremony at the Hilton Americas in Downtown Houston on Wednesday night.   

Banks was one of four finalists for the award alongside Will Campbell, Louisiana State University; Abdul Carter, Penn State University; and Kyle Kennard, University of South Carolina.  

"The main thing I was thinking was definitely please call my name," said Kelvin Banks Jr. "Like I said before, if the other guys would have won, I would have been just as happy for them. I feel like we are a great group of guys who came today."  

Banks is the 4th player in school history to win the prestigious award handed out to the best college lineman in the country. Other winners from the University of Texas include Kenneth Sims (1981), Tony Degrate (1984) and Brian Orakpo (2008).  

Banks has been the picture of consistency and excellence during his three years at Texas, having started 37 games at left tackle and yielding just 3 sacks while in a Longhorns uniform. His elite play has been instrumental to the development of the Texas offense and his leadership helped guide the Longhorns to an SEC Championship game appearance and clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff.  

The Lombardi Award has been handed out in Houston since 1970. Just weeks after Coach Vince Lombardi's passing in that same year due to colon cancer, the Rotary Club of Houston established the Lombardi Award with the authorization of Vince Lombardi's widow, Marie, and his sister, Madeline Lombardi Werner.  

The award honors the Outstanding College Football Lineman, whether on offense or defense, who displays exceptional performance and ability and embodies the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed throughout his life.  

Following the wishes of the Lombardi family, net proceeds from Gala sponsorship and table sales are dedicated to supporting cancer research and families/patients battling cancer.  Since its inception, the Lombardi Award has raised over $4 million for cancer research and support for patients and their families.