Penn State RB Saquon Barkley named Lombardi Award finalist

Saquon Barkley is a finalist for the 2017 Lombardi Award, the foundation announced Monday afternoon.

Barkley is one of seven candidates for the honor, joining Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, Stanford running back Bryce Love, Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Iowa State linebacker and quarterback Joel Lanning and Central Florida linebacker Shaquem Griffin.

From its inception in 1970 through 2015, the award was given to the nation’s best linebacker or lineman. Penn State pass rusher Carl Nassib was the Nittany Lions’ last recipient, in 2015.

But now it’s a national honor. According to the foundation, the Lombardi Award is “presented to an NCAA Division I player, regardless of position, based on performance, leadership, character and resiliency.”

The award will be presented on Jan. 27 in Houston at Lone Star College. It will be aired live on ESPN3.

This story was originally published January 22, 2018 at 2:15 PM with the headline "Penn State RB Saquon Barkley named Lombardi Award finalist."