HOUSTON — Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. won the Lombardi Award as the nation’s top college lineman Wednesday night.
Banks defeated finalists LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter and South Carolina defensive end Kyle Kennard to receive the award in Houston .
Banks is the fourth player to win the award, following Kenneth Sims (1981), Tony Degrate (1984) and Brian Orakpo (2008). Longhorns for the award.
Banks started 37 games at left tackle in three seasons at Texas and had just three career sacks. His performance this season helped the Longhorns reach the College Football Playoff.
“The main thing I was thinking about was definitely please call my name,” he said. “If someone else wins, I’d be happy for them too. I feel like we’re a great group of guys coming out here today.”
The award has been presented annually since 1970 by the Rotary Club of Houston.
