HOUSTON – It has been a busy day for NM State linebacker Chris Ojoh. After being named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list this morning, Ojoh was added to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list this afternoon. The Rotary Lombardi Award goes annually to the college football offensive or defensive lineman, who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Coach Vince Lombardi.
 
To be considered for the Rotary Lombardi Award, players must be a NCAA FBS College Football team member and meet the following qualifications:
 
·       Be a down Lineman, end to end, either on offense or defense, setting up no further than ten (10) yards to the left or right of the ball at the time of the snap.
·       Be a Linebacker on defense, setting up no further than five (5) yards deep from the line of scrimmage. 
·       Must not come out of the offensive backfield and set up on the line of scrimmage as a Blocker or a Receiver or listed in the program as an Offensive Back or Receiver.
·       Be eligible to participate in the current season.
 
Ojoh is one of just 77 players from across the nation to find themselves on the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list. The senior linebacker is one of just eight players from an FBS Independents school to appear on the list.
 
"I am very blessed and highly favored to be in the position I am today. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the man above," said Ojoh. "Big things to come this season."
 
"Chris is an extremely talented player that puts in the work behind the scenes, which allows him to always be at the top of his game," stated NM State defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling. "He has a chance to have an incredible senior campaign."
 
Ojoh and the Aggies began fall camp on Friday, July 29 and are preparing to take on Nevada in the season opener on Saturday, August 27. Single-game tickets for NM State football went on sale this morning and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or by calling 575-646-1420.

For complete coverage of NM State football as the Aggies prepare for year one under head coach Jerry Kill and his staff, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of NM State athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Football), Twitter (@NMStateFootball) and Instagram (@NMStateFootball).