Adams Named to Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List

Aug. 10, 2006

Clemson, SC- Clemson Senior Defensive End Gaines Adams has been named to the Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List. The 37th Rotary Lombardi Award, presented by Wachovia Bank, which honors the top lineman in college football while raising funds for the American Cancer Society, will be presented in Houston on December 6 at the Hilton Americas Hotel.

Any player who meets the basic award criteria (a down lineman on either side of the ball-including tight ends, and linebackers who line up within five yards of the ball) is eligible to receive votes.

In each of the past two years (Erasmus James in 2004 and Elvis Dumervil in 2005) an eventual finalist for the award was not included on the Watch List at the start of the season.

This is the fourth different preseason national award list that Adams has been named to. The defensive end from Greenwood, SC was earlier named to the preseason lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award (top defensive player), the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive award) and the Ted Hendricks Award (top defensive end).

The 6-5, 265 pounder had 56 tackles last season, including a team best 15 tackles for loss and team best 9.5 sacks. He had a Clemson record 29 quarterback pressures and nine passes broken up, most ever by a Clemson defensive end.

No Clemson player has won the Lombardi Award. William Perry was a finalist in 1984.