Tulsa’s Zaven Collins Named One of Four Finalists for the Lombardi Award

TULSA, Okla. –– The National Defensive Player of the Year Zaven Collins is one of four finalists for College Football's Lombardi Award, which is given to the FBS player who best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi and outstanding performance and ability.

The Lombardi Award is presented to the top FBS player, regardless of position, based on the Lombardi Award's criteria of "performance and leadership honed by character and resiliency." The award was formerly given to the best college football defensive lineman or linebacker up until 2017.

Collins is joined on the list by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Coastal Carolina defensive end Tarron Jackson and Alabama receiver Devonta Smith.

A 6'4" linebacker from Hominy, Okla., Collins claimed nearly every honor that he was under consideration for this year. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award, both given to the nation's top defender, and was the runner-up for Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.

Collins was a unanimous first-team All-American, earning the honor from the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), the Walter Camp Foundation and The Sporting News for consensus status. He also received first-team All-America accolades from USA Today, CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus, The Athletic and Phil Steele Magazine.

He became only the second consensus All-American in school history and the first since Golden Hurricane receiver Howard Twilley's selection in 1965.

Collins was also unanimously chosen as the American Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in league history to earn unanimous player-of-the-year honors, while also earning first-team all-league merits.

Collins totaled 53 tackles, 11.5 TFLs for -49 yards, 4 sacks for -25 yards, 4 interceptions for 152 return yards, 2 TDs off INTs, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one safety in 2020. Two of his interceptions were game-clinchers, including a pickoff against #19 SMU that ended any possible final scoring drive for the Mustangs and his pick-6 in overtime against Tulane that he took 96 yards for the game-winning score.

During the season, Collins was named the National Defensive Player of the Week three times, earning the award once from each of the Bednarik Award, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Walter Camp Foundation.

Tulsa’s Zaven Collins Named One of Four Finalists for the Lombardi Award

Related News

Players Mentioned

Zaven Collins

Related Videos