It's not all about the Heisman Trophy this college award season.
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Twelve semifinalists were named for the 46th Lombardi Award on Thursday. The list -- comprised of six DEs, three OTs and three LBs -- heavily features starlets from the Big Ten.
Five of the 12 finalists play in the conference, with Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State and Wisconsin all well represented. The full list can be found below.
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Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Bosa is tied for first nationally among current players with 24.5 career QB sacks.
Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Calhoun -- a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection -- leads Michigan State in sacks this season (8.0 for 54 yards lost).
Shalique Calhoun is going to go much higher than #DraftTwitter likes to lead you to believe by the way. Will blow teams away in interviews
— Ryan Booher (@bootang25) October 23, 2015
Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State
A three-year starting LT, Decker is an integral part of an Ohio State offensive line that ranks first nationally (tied) in the last 37 games with an average of 6.2 yards per carry.
Don't jump in front of Taylor Decker https://t.co/8PolifaEp3
— Ryan Ginn (@RyanGinnBSB) September 9, 2015
Spencer Drango, OT, Baylor
Drango is a returning All-American and a two-time All-Big 12 first team honoree.
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M
Only a sophomore, Garrett leads the SEC with 10.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
I know he's just a Soph but Myles Garrett is fun to watch. This INT on a screen looks just like Peppers. https://t.co/Sf9Yy6wvUd
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) October 28, 2015
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson
Lawson has proven to be dominant on Clemson's No. 5-ranked defense, producing 45 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Tyler Matakevich, LB, Temple
Matakevich is flying the flag for the AAC. The Temple standout is the national current active leader with 433 career tackles.
Not only did @Temple_FB's Tyler Matakevich register his 400th career tackle last night but watch this #Interception https://t.co/vaT6DMOqcJ
— American Football (@American_FB) October 18, 2015
Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
From walk-on to starter, Nassib leads the FBS with 14.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.
Robert Nkemdiche, DE, Ole Miss
In addition to the Lombardi Award, Nkemdiche was on watch lists for the Bednarik Award, Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy, among others.
Robert Nkemdiche pushed this dude like a grocery cart: https://t.co/rz4UvscTLJ pic.twitter.com/VdGV0wKcXG
— SB Nation (@SBNation) October 31, 2015
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
No list is complete without a Nick Saban-led prospect. Ragland leads Alabama with 71 tackles, including 42 solo stops, 32 more than the next closest defender.
Joe Schobert, LB, Wisconsin
Schobert didn't need an FBS scholarship offer to make his name with the Badgers. The senior OLB ranks No. 4 nationally in both tackles for loss (14.5) and forced fumbles (4).
#Wisconsin EDGE Joe Schobert. That first step is killer on this play pic.twitter.com/3BWCAjCy5X
— Ty Wurth (@NFLi_Ty) October 6, 2015
Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
A native of Las Vegas, Stanley is already projected to make a career in the NFL. The LT is ranked No. 2 among 2017 top NFL prospects, per CBS Sports.
The winner of the 2015 Lombardi Award will be named on Dec. 9 at Revention Music Center in Houston.
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