MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama senior offensive lineman Chris May has been added to the 2015 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, it was announced this week.
May, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound native of Tuscumbia, Ala., joins Jaguars center Joseph Scelfo on the list, which now includes 176 players. Scelfo was among the 34 players named when the original list was released.
Preseason Honors
Like Scelfo, May was voted to the preseason All-Sun Belt Conference first team last month by the league’s head coaches and select members of the media. He was also named a preseason all-conference first-team pick by Athlon Sports and a second-team selection by Phil Steele Publications.
Three Years of League Recognition
May has earned Sun Belt recognition in each of his three seasons at South Alabama. Sun Belt beat writers named him to the All-Freshman team in 2012. He was a first-team All-Sun Belt pick in 2013 and earned honorable mention last season.
He enters his senior season with 32 consecutive starts dating to the middle of his freshman year, the longest active streak on the team.
By the Numbers
Last season, May recorded 33 knockdown blocks and graded at 80 percent or better six times. In South Alabama’s November win over Texas State, which made the Jaguars bowl eligible and led to the program’s first bowl invitation, May was credited with 11 pancake blocks, more than half of the team’s 18.
As a sophomore, May led the team with 65 pancake blocks. His overall grade of 87 percent that season was second-best on the team, and he graded 90 percent or better four times.
He has received the coaches’ offensive line award for a game eight times in three seasons.
About the Award
The Rotary Lombardi Award is open to down linemen, end to end, on offense or defense who line up no more than 10 yards to either side of the ball, as well as linebackers who line up no more than five yards off the line of scrimmage.
Twelve semifinalists will be named Nov. 5. The winner of the 46th annual award will be announced Dec. 9 at the Bayou Music Center in Houston.
