HOUSTON, Texas — The Rotary Club of Houston has named BYU defensive end Tyler Batty to the 2024 Rotary Lombardi Award Preseason Watchlist.
The Rotary Lombardi Award was established in 1970 and is awarded annually to the college football offensive lineman, defensive lineman or linebacker who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi.
Batty has received several preseason honors and been named to several award watch lists. In early July, he was one of 30 players to be selected to the 2024 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team by media representatives who cover the league.
The senior from Payson, Utah, has also been named preseason All-Big 12 First Team by Athlon Sports, Phil Steele and College Football Network. In addition, he was selected to the 2024 watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the annual East-West Shrine Bowl.
Batty is coming off a junior season where he earned All-Big 12 Second Team accolades, while being named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Honorable Mention and Defensive Lineman of the Year Honorable Mention. He led the Cougars for a third straight year in sacks, picking up 5.5 with nine total tackles for loss. He finished the 2023 season with 57 total tackles to lead the defensive line and had eight quarterback hurries, while also forcing two fumbles and recovering another.
Off the field, Batty earned a spot on the prestigious 2023 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team, which is awarded annually to 11 FBS players that excel on the field and are exemplary in their service to the community.
To be considered for the Rotary Lombardi Award, a player must play for a FBS college football team and be eligible to participate in the current season. The candidate must be a down lineman either on offense or defense; or be a linebacker setting up no further than five yards from the line of scrimmage.
The 2024 watchlist showcases a balanced distribution across eligible positions with 18 defensive tackles, 17 defensive ends, and 19 linebackers on defense; and 10 guards, 18 tackles, six centers, and two tight ends on offence.
The winner of the 2024 Rotary Lombardi Award will be honored at a dinner that will take place on Dec. 11, 2024.