Rocker Adds Lombardi Award to Outland
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Auburn defensive tackle Tracy Rocker won his second national award of the week when he received the Lombardi Award as the nation’s outstanding lineman in voting by 227 college football coaches, sportswriters and sportscasters.
Rocker, who earlier had won the Outland Trophy as the top interior lineman, won the Lombardi over linebackers Broderick Thomas of Nebraska and Derrick Thomas of Alabama, and defensive tackle Mark Messner of Michigan.
The Lombardi Award goes to the top offensive or defensive lineman, and nominees can include linebackers. The Outland is restricted to interior, or “down,” linemen.
Rocker, a finalist for the Lombardi last season, paced an Auburn defense that led the nation in scoring defense with an average of at 7.2 points a game, total defense at 218.1 yards, and rushing defense at 68.2 yards.
Rocker, a senior whose final game will be in the Sugar Bowl against Florida State on Jan. 2, has 101 tackles, including 13 for losses, plus 5 quarterback sacks this season.
His 354 career tackles are an Auburn record.
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