Donald had 54 tackles, including an FBS-leading 26.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, and added four forced fumbles and a blocked kick this season. Donald was the only defensive lineman in the country to finish in the top five in tackles for loss. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald is reaping the rewards of a stellar senior season.
Donald was named the winner of the Lombardi Trophy on Wednesday night. Earlier in the week, he won the Nagurski Trophy presented by the Football Writers Association of America to the national defensive player of the year.
The Lombardi award is given annually by the Rotary Club of Houston to the best college lineman on offense or defense.
“It is truly a blessing and an honor to receive such a great award,” Donald said. “I am so blessed.”
Donald had 54 tackles, including an FBS-leading 26.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks, and added four forced fumbles and a blocked kick this season. Donald was the only defensive lineman in the country to finish in the top five in tackles for loss.
Donald, named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year, also was a finalist for the Outland Trophy and Bednarik Award.
“Aaron is a tremendous young man and a terrific athlete. He embodies everything the Rotary Lombardi Award is about,” Rotary Lombardi Award committee chair Brian Carr said. “We are so proud to present Aaron as the latest winner and our newest member of the Lombardi Award family.”
The other Lombardi finalists were UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr, Alabama linebacker CJ Mosley and Missouri defensive end Michael Sam.
Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o won the Lombardi Award in 2012.
Only one other Pitt player — linebacker Hugh Green — previously won the Lombardi.
