Linebacker Abdul Carter, defensive end Chop Robinson, and offensive tackle Olu Fashanu were named to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list Tuesday. The award is given annually to the offensive or defensive player who performs well on the field and best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL head coach Vince Lombardi.

After becoming the only true freshman in Penn State history to record more than 10 tackles for loss and six sacks in a single season, Carter has been added to a myriad of preseason watch lists before his sophomore season. In addition to the Bronko Nagurski Award watch list with Robinson, Carter has been named to the Butkus Award watch list and the Lott IMPACT Award watch list.

During the 2022 season, Robinson amassed 26 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The nomination to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list is his second appointment to a watch list this preseason.

Fashanu, often touted as one of the best offensive linemen in the nation, chose to return to Penn State for a fourth year, his third as a starter. Last season, Fashanu allowed no sacks on 281 pass-blocking attempts. Fashanu has also been added to the Walter Camp Player Of The Year Award watch list, the Outland Trophy watch list, and the ESPN All-America Preseason Team.

The Big Ten leads all conferences with 19 players on the watch list, including four players from Michigan and Ohio State, respectively.

After the finalists are announced on November 15, the winner of the award will be announced on December 6.