Carl Nassib wins Lombardi Award
Sep 12, 2015; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Carl Nassib (95) reacts after intercepting the ball during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bulls at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Carl Nassib is one of the most underrated prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft. Nassib led the NCAA in tackles for losses with 19.5, sacks with 15.5, and fumbles forced with six, this season. Yet he doesn’t get the hype of a Joey Bosa or appear in the first round on draft boards.
The 6-7, 270-pounder anticipates the snap-count well, has a great get-off, burst around the corner and closing speed. Then of course, he has those vines for arms to keep blockers off of him with one hand and grab the quarterback from a ways away with the other.
Nassib also has the power to jar you with a bull-rush and strength to be stout against the run. He’s one of those guys that just knows how to get to the quarterback and his motor never stops. That’s how he went from walk-on to scholarship status under now Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien in 2013.
Wednesday night, his college journey came to a head with a trophy named after a coach that demanded what Nassib is all about. The Lombardi Award is named after none other than legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi. He would be proud of young man that wasn’t given anything out of high school, earning everything he got in college with his will and determination.
Such qualities should be looked at as a talent along with 40-yard dash times and bench presses. Nassib is a senior so he’s definitely coming out in the 2016 NFL Draft but we’ll see what round it is. If this award doesn’t spice his resume up enough to get him into the first round, some team is going to get a steal.
Aaron Donald, the 2014 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and first-round pick of the St. Louis Rams, earned the honor. Randy White, Cornelius Bennett, Chris Spielman, Warren Sapp, Orlando Pace, Julius Peppers, Ndamukong Suh and Luke Kuechly all won the award and you know how they came out in the NFL.