Rebecca Sasnett / Arizona Track and Field
football
Arizona Athletics
TUCSON, Arizona. – Linebacker from Arizona Jacob Manu and Offensive Lineman Jonah Savaiinaea were named to the Lombardi Award Watch List, the organization announced today.
Manu and Savaiinaea are on the Lombardi Award list for the first time in their college careers. This award recognizes character, discipline and excellence on and off the soccer field.
Manuel adds the Lombardi Award watch list to a growing list of preseason accolades, including the Butkus Award, Nagurski Trophy and All-Big 12 Team. He led the Pac-12 with 116 total tackles in 2023 and was named to AP First-Team All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 First-Team honors after a record-setting season.
Savaiinaea appears on the preseason Lombardi Award watch list for the first time in his college career. Add the Lombardi Award watch list to his preseason accolades, including Outland Trophy watch list, All-Big 12 Team, Athlon Sports All-American and Phil Steele Magazine All-American.
Thirteen past winners and finalists are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Forty-three past winners and finalists are members of the College Football Hall of Fame. Since the award’s inception, millions of dollars have been raised for cancer research.
The Lombardi Award trophy, made of 40-pound pink Texas granite and shaped to mimic the stance of a lineman, is presented each year at a gala dinner in Houston where the four finalists are honored.
ABOUT THE LOMBARDI AWARD
The history and meaning of the Lombardi Award are deeply rooted in the legacy of Coach Vince Lombardi and his commitment to character, discipline and excellence. Just weeks after Coach Vince Lombardi’s death in 1970 from colon cancer, the Rotary Club of Houston, with the approval of Vince Lombardi’s widow Marie and his sister Madeline Lombardi Werner, established the Lombardi Award.
This prestigious award continues to honor the most outstanding college football lineman, whether offensive or defensive, who demonstrates exceptional performance and skill and embodies the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi has championed throughout his life.
Ms. Lombardi has designated that net proceeds from the gala sponsorship and table sales will benefit cancer research. This commitment is made in honor of Coach Vince Lombardi, who tragically passed away from the disease. Since the Lombardi Award was established in 1970, fundraising has been an integral part of the initiative. Specifically, these efforts have raised millions of dollars to support cancer research programs.
Arizona opens the 2024 season on August 31 at 7:30 p.m. MST against New Mexico on ESPN at Arizona Stadium.
