Multiple Irish Players, Brian Kelly Join Preseason Award Watch Lists

Oct 4, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Joe Schmidt (38) reacts after Notre Dame defeated the Stanford Cardinal 17-14 at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Lombardi Trophy – Joe Schmidt, Jaylon Smith, Ronnie Stanley, Steve Elmer, Nick Martin, Sheldon Day, Jarron Jones

The Lombardi trophy is given out to the nation’s best offensive/defensive lineman or linebacker. This is probably one of the most competitive awards given the number of linebackers, defensive lineman and offensive lineman eligible for the award. Regardless, Notre Dame has a handful of players on the list giving the Irish a better chance of having one of their players bring the award to South Bend. For Schmidt, Smith, Stanley, Martin and Day, this is their second or third award nomination. For Elmer and Jones, this is their first time on a preseason watch list.

Elmer has played on the offensive line since his freshmen year making him one of the more experienced linemen on the team. I personally know this guy, and after two years of talking to Elmer, I can say without a doubt that he’s one of the hardest working guys in the weight room, on the field and in the classroom. That’s also evident with the playing time he’s received over the last two years. He started four games at guard as a freshman and, as a sophomore, started all 13 games at guard and right tackle.

Jones is another guy who has been under-the-radar for some time now. He’s a rising senior with potential to have a break out season with the best front seven Notre Dame has had since its run at the National Championship. His highlight game last season was against Florida State where he had three tackles for loss. He received the College Football Performance Honorable Mention award for defensive lineman of the week for his performance against the Seminoles.