Kelvin Banks named a Lombardi Award finalist
Texas Football senior left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. was named a finalist for the 2024 Lombardi Award, the Rotary Club of Houston announced Wednesday. The Lombardi Award honors the most outstanding college football lineman who displays exceptional performance and ability while embodying the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed throughout his life.
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Three Longhorns have won the Lombardi Award, most recently Brian Orakpo in 2008. Tony Degrate won it in 1984, while Kenneth Sims took it home in 1981. Nine other Longhorns have been finalists, including Justin Blalock (2006), Rodrique Wright (2005), Derrick Johnson (2004), Cory Redding (2002), Doug Dawson (1983), Steve McMichael (1979), Brad Shearer (1977), Bill Wyman (1973) and Jerry Sisemore (1972).
In addition to being slated a finalist for the Lombardi Award, Banks anchors a UT offensive line that was revealed as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award earlier this month.
Banks is a third-year offensive lineman who has played in and started in 37 games with the Longhorns. The Humble, Texas, product received multiple national honors this season, including the Outland Trophy’s National Player of the Week on Oct. 15 and SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week on Sept. 30 and Oct. 14. Prior to the season, Banks was named preseason First-Team All-America by the Associated Press, CBS Sports, ESPN, Sporting News and The Athletic in addition to being honored on the preseason First-Team All-SEC by the media and league’s coaches. He was also on to the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award preseason watch lists.
Behind Banks’ veteran leadership on the offensive line this season, Texas ranks ninth nationally in team passing efficiency (162.81), 12th in passing offense (288.6), 13th in completion percentage (67.9 percent) and scoring offense (37.0 ppg), and 18th in total offense (450.2 ypg). The line has protected QB Quinn Ewers, who also sits amongst the nation’s best in several individual statistical categories, including 13th in completion percentage (68.4 percent), 16th in passing touchdowns (21), and 18th in passing efficiency (156.2).
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Through 10 games, Texas is averaging 37 points per game, 450.2 total yards per game and 6.5 yards per play. The 6.5 yards per play currently stands sixth in UT history, while the offense’s 288.6 passing yards per game is fifth. Last season’s offense finished third in total offense (477.5) and fourth in yards per play (6.67).
2024 marks the 51st anniversary of the award which has been handed out in Houston since its inception. This year’s award dinner will take place on Dec. 11 and net proceeds from gala sponsorship and table sales are dedicated to supporting cancer research and families and patients battling cancer.
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Banks and Texas square off against Kentucky at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov. 23, inside Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in the Longhorns’ final regular season home game. The game will broadcast on ABC with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Katie George (sideline) on the call.
Lombardi Finalists
Kelvin Banks Jr., University of Texas
Will Campbell, Louisiana State University
Abdul Carter, Penn State University
Kyle Kennard, University of South Carolina
Via UT press release
