Texas Tech University Athletics
Dawson, Ramirez Named to Lombardi List
August 11, 2006 | Football
Aug. 11, 2006
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech senior offensive lineman Manuel Ramirez (Sugar Land, Texas) and senior defensive end/linebacker Keyunta Dawson (Shreveport, La.) are among 58 of the nation's top linemen recognized today on the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List. The award is presented annually to the nation's top lineman by the Rotary Club of Houston.
The list is the second of the preseason for both players. Ramirez was previously named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, which is given annually to the nation's top interior lineman, while Dawson was tabbed on the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List as one of the nation's top defensive ends.
The 6-foot-4, 328-pound Ramirez has been a permanent fixture on the line since earning his first start midway through his freshman season. He has been primary factor in the success of Texas Tech's high-powered offense and his contributions were magnified last season as he earned All-Big 12 Conference honors.
Named to several preseason all-conference teams heading into the 2006 season, Dawson has been a dominant force as a rush end for the Red Raiders. He is among the top five all-time sacks leaders at Tech and is a menacing presence in opponent's backfields. Dawson is slated to split time this season at rush end and outside linebacker.
Any player who meets the basic award criteria (a down lineman on either side of the ball--including tight ends, and linebackers who line up within five yards of the ball) is eligible to receive votes.
The Rotary Club of Houston, in operation since 1912, is an association of more than 350 successful business professionals, all prominent in their individual fields of endeavor, who volunteer their efforts through the work of some two dozen club committees. Assistance is provided to such diverse groups as troubled youngsters, former prison inmates, business oriented high school students, families of cancer patients, deserving college scholarship candidates and the nation's cancer research efforts. The club's most recent community project is the East End Healthy Children's Collaborative which provides much needed access to primary health care for residents on Houston's East side.
