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ECU's Rimpf Named to Lombardi Watch List
From ECU Media Relations
with Staff Contributions
East Carolina's Brian Rimpf is already accustomed to earning
individual awards. The Raleigh junior secured first-team All-Conference USA
honors last season after gaining a spot on the league's All-Freshman team
the year before.
Now, the brawny offensive tackle is one of
49 players with a shot at an award coveted by all college linemen.
Rimpf has been named to the 2002 Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, unveiled
Thursday by the award's executive committee.
Rimpf, 6-5, 301, was a prime force in an ECU offensive line that helped
the Pirates' rushing offense rank among the nation's top 25 in 2001. His
blocking helped All-America running back Leonard Henry rush for 1,432 yards,
sixth best in the nation.
Among his performances last season, Rimpf excelled in blocking
assignments against All-America defenders Julius Peppers of North Carolina
and Dwight Freeney of Syracuse.
Ironically, Peppers went on to win
last year's Lombardi Award.
The Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List is comprised of returning NCAA
Division I college football players who meet the basic position requirements
for the award and who have earned either All-America or first-team
all-conference recognition in a previous season. Eligibility for the award
is limited to down linemen and those defenders who line up within five yards
of the football.
The Watch List, intended as a reference tool for the award's selection
committee, will be periodically updated and revised through the conclusion
of the voting to determine 12 semifinalists.
On the initial version of the Watch List announced today, 49 players are
listed, including
five from Conference USA. Joining Rimpf
from C-USA are Southern Miss linebacker Rod Davis, Cincinnati defensive end
Antwan Peek, and two Louisville standouts — tight end Ronnie Ghent and
defensive end Dewayne White.
The 2002 award winner will be announced in December.
Visit ECUPirates.com.
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