HOUSTON, Texas — The Rotary Club of Houston today named BYU defensive end Tyler Batty to the final watchlist for the 2024 Rotary Lombardi Award.
Established in 1970, the Rotary Lombardi Award 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.
Prior to the 2024 season, Batty received a variety of preseason honors and was named to several award watchlists. He was one of 30 players to be selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team by media representatives who cover the league.
The 6-5, 275-pound senior from Payson, Utah, was recently named to the College Football Network Midseason 2024 All-Big 12 Second Team. Batty was also 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 Rotary Lombardi Award, the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the annual East-West Shrine Bowl.
Through six games in 2024, Batty is top-three statistically on the team in tackles, sacks, quarterback hurries and interceptions.
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 winner of the 2024 Rotary Lombardi Award will be honored at a dinner that will take place on Dec. 11, 2024.