The Lombardi Award nominees list, now in its 51st year, includes 90 of the best linemen and linebackers in the country. Oklahoma State leads the FBS with four nominations, along with Ohio State and Alabama, and accounts for nearly a third of the Big 12 Conference’s 13 nominations.
With a total of 27 starts in the 2023 season, Michalski and Cooper led an offensive line that Ollie Gordon II win the Doak Walker Award, lead the nation in rushing yards and receive unanimous All-America honors. Michalski is one of the most experienced players in the entire country and leads all Power Five players with 1,035 offensive snaps played last season. Cooper, on the other hand, earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in his first season as a Cowboy and leads the team with 49 career FBS starts.
On defense, Martin and Oliver were both named All-Big 12 in 2023 as they helped Oklahoma State to 10 wins and an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game. With 140 tackles this year, Martin’s total was the most by a Cowboy since 1984 and the most by any Big 12 player in five years, while Oliver is just the ninth defensive player in OSU history to be named All-Conference three times. Both players recorded six sacks in 2023, the most by a linebacker in the conference.
The recipient will be honored on December 11 in Houston, Texas.
