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Ryan Hebert, Anthony Gray on Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List

Ryan Hebert

Ryan Hebert

Aug. 18, 2009

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss senior offensive tackle Ryan Hebert (Schriever, La.) and junior defensive lineman Anthony Gray (Philadelphia, Miss.) have garnered nominations to the 40th annual Rotary Lombardi Award watch list in an announcement Tuesday by the organization.

The watch list includes 153 players from 79 teams and 11 conferences and is presented annually by Houston¡¯s Rotary Club to the nation¡¯s top college football lineman ¨C offense or defense ¨C who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi.

Hebert is one of those individuals on that list who has been an integral part of the Golden Eagle offensive line which helped the squad collect a school record 5,636 total yards a season ago. A preseason All-Conference USA selection he started in all 13 games a season ago and graded at 75 percent or better in every regular season game.

As for Gray, a preseason Conference USA selection as well, he played in all 13 games a season ago and tallied 29 tackles, including 7.5 for loss and six sacks. He added a pair of forced fumbles and one fumble recovery to anchor the defensive line.

On Oct. 14, the 12 semifinalists for the Rotary Lombardi Award will be announced with the four finalists named on Nov. 11.

The 40th Rotary Lombardi Award dinner will be held on December 9, 2009, at the Hilton Americas Hotel. Net proceeds from the event benefit the American Cancer Society.

For more information call the Rotary Club of Houston at 713©\973©\9936 or visit the website at www.rotarylombardiaward.org.

The 2008 Rotary Lombardi Award winner was Brian Orakpo, a defensive end from Texas.