HOUSTON — BYU linebacker Cade Uluave was today named a candidate for the 2026 Lombardi Award, presented annually by the Rotary Club of Houston to the nation's premier linebacker or lineman.
The 2026 preseason watchlist features 54 of the best talent from FBS teams and is selected based on past performances and potential for the upcoming season.
A 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior from South Jordan, Utah, Uluave is in his first year at BYU after transferring from Cal. Uluave, a 2025 All-ACC First-Team linebacker, played in 34 games for the Bears over three seasons, starting 26. He led Cal with 100 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and five quarterback hurries in 2025 while amassing 237 career tackles, 21.5 TFL, six sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in three seasons at Cal.
In addition to earning first-team all-conference honors in 2025, Uluave received All-ACC honorable mention in 2024 and was a first-team Freshman All-American selection by The Athletic, FWAA and College Football News in 2023. He was also named the Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year, Super West Sports Defensive Freshman of the Year and a Phil Steele All-Pac-12 Third Team honoree.
In May 2026, Uluave was selected as a candidate for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and was later named preseason All-America by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. He has also been named Preseason All-Big 12 by the conference, Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
Uluave prepped at Mountain Ridge High School in Herriman, Utah, where he was a two-way player. On defense, he registered 154 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, five sacks, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, returning one for a touchdown. On offense, he rushed for 1,638 yards and 26 touchdowns on 290 carries and had 20 catches for 164 yards and one touchdown. He also participated in baseball as well as track and field and earned the Utah Chapter of the National Football Foundation’s Scholar-Athlete Award during his 2021-22 junior academic year.
The Lombardi Award was established in 1970 by the Rotary Club of Houston in memory of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. It is presented to outstanding lineman or linebacker who best epitomize his values of leadership, courage, performance, and discipline on and off the field. Furthermore, the watchlist includes players who are consistently showing the values of strength, agility, and football acumen in their respective positions.
The 2026 Lombardi Award dinner is scheduled for Dec. 9, with net proceeds from gala sponsorships, table sales and surrounding events dedicated to supporting cancer research.