Football: Fleming Named to Lombardi Watch List

Louisiana’s Grant Fleming appears on the Official Watch List for the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award as announced by the Rotary Lombardi Award Committee on Friday.

Fleming, a senior linebacker from Lafayette, earned honorable mention All-Sun Belt accolades in 2009 after collecting 89 total tackles last season. As a junior he ranked second on the team in total tackles and eighth overall in the Sun Belt, while placing fifth in conference only games. The dynamic linebacker led the Cajuns with three forced fumbles including the game-sealing fumble recovery against La.-Monroe.

“We are very proud that Grant is being considered for this award,” said head coach Rickey Bustle. “He is our team leader on defense and we consider him an impact player.”

In addition to his on the field accomplishments, Fleming appeared on the Sun Belt Commissioner’s List for two seasons (2007-08 and 2008-09) and earned Sun Belt Honor Roll accolades for the 2009-10 season.

Fleming follows UL’s Brad Bustle and Chris Fisher who were both named to the 2009 watch list. Only one other SBC student-athlete, Arkansas State offensive lineman Derek Newton, was named to the 2010 watch list.

Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set-up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage.

Last year’s Rotary Lombardi Award winner, Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska) was drafted by the Detroit Lions, and finalists Gerald McCoy (OU) by Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jerry Hughes by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the NFL Draft.

While the Watch List highlights those players who have already received national recognition, any Division 1 player who meets the requirements is eligible for consideration from the Rotary Lombardi Selection Committee. This committee is comprised of more than 500 members, including all past winners and finalists, all Division 1-A head coaches and a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

The 41st Rotary Lombardi Award will be held December 7- 8, 2010, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. For more information on the two-day schedule of events, please visit www.rotarylombardiaward.org.

Founded in 1912, the Rotary Club of Houston, a service organization comprised of professional and community leaders, serves our community through its numerous public health, youth, international and local activities. Projects and events such as the Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International, the Rotary Lombardi Award. the Distinguished Citizens Award, Camp Enterprise, Polio eradication and much more touch the lives of our global community.

— Ragin’ Cajuns —