USC's Tuli Tuipulotu Named Finalist for Rotary Lombardi Award

LOS ANGELES--USC DL Tuli Tuipulotu has been selected as a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award. This award is presented annually to the college football offensive or defensive lineman, who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi. 
 
Tuipulotu is the nation's second-leading sack man with 11.5 on the season (1.15 per game). He is also the Pac-12 leader and is fourth nationally with 1.8 tackles for loss per game (17.5 total). Those combine for 167 yards lost to opposing offenses. 

Tuipulotu's 11.5 sacks are the most in a single season at USC since Kenechi Udeze set the Trojans' record with 16.5 in 2003. Tuipulotu is sixth on the team with 32 tackles, 23 of them solo. He has three pass breakups at the line, two quarterback hurries – one of which turned into an intentional grounding penalty for a safety against Colorado – and has forced two fumbles.
 
He has earned two Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors and three Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week awards. 
 
The other three finalists for the award are Alabama outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr., Georgia tight end Brock Bowers and Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. 
 
The third round of voting for the four finalists will commence on November 18th. The winner will be announced at the live event in Houston, Texas on December 7th.
 
In addition to being named a finalist for the Lombardi Award, Tuipuloti is a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy and a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award. Initially named a preseason All-American, he has now earned placement on six Midseason All-American First Teams (AP, ESPN, Athlon, CBS Sports, The Athletic and FOX Sports). He is also on the watch lists for the Outland Trophy and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.