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AUSTIN, Texas – Texas football left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. has been selected as one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, the Houston Rotary Club announced Thursday. The Lombardi Award recognizes the most outstanding college football lineman who has demonstrated exceptional performance and ability while exemplifying the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed throughout his life.
Three Longhorns have won the Lombardi Award, most recently Brian Orakpo in 2008. Tony DeGrate won the award in 1984 and Kenneth Sims in 1981. Nine other Longhorns are finalists for the award, including Justin Blalock (2006) and Rodrick. Wright (2005), Derrick Johnson (2004), Cory Redding (2002), Doug Dawson (1983), Steve McMichael (1979), Brad Shearer (1977), Bill Wyman (1973) , Jerry Sisemore (1972).
Banks is a third-year offensive lineman who has started 35 games for the Longhorns. The Humble, Texas, native is the anchor of an offensive line that was named to the midseason Joe Moore Award Honor Roll. Banks earned multiple national honors this season, including Outland Trophy Player of the Week honors on Oct. 15 and SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors on Sept. 30 and Oct. 14. Before the season, Banks was selected as the No. 1 preseason pick. He was named Team All-America by The Associated Press, CBS Sports, ESPN, Sporting News and The Athletic, and was also recognized as a preseason First Team All-SEC. media and league coaches. He was also named to the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Trophy preseason watch lists.
Banks’ blocking puts UT’s offense among the best in the nation in several statistical categories. Texas ranks 10th in the nation in pass completion percentage (68.7 percent), 12th in team pass efficiency (161.5 percent), 13th in passing offense (294.8 percent), 16th in scoring offense (37.6 percent) and 16th in total offense. (453.1%). Texas’ quarterbacks are second only to Banks, with Quinn Ewers named a top 10 finalist for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and selected to the 2024 Davey O’Brien QB class.
2024 marks the 51st anniversary of the award being presented in Houston since its inception. This year’s awards dinner will be held on December 11th, with net proceeds from gala sponsorships and table sales going to support cancer research and families and patients battling cancer.
Banks and No. 5/5 Texas will take on the Florida Gators on Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. PT inside Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ABC, with call-in appearances by Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Katie George (sideline).
