Aug. 24, 2007

Rice senior offensive guard Robby Heos has been added to the official watch list for the 2007 Rotary Lombardi Award, it was announced by the Rotary Club of Houston on Friday.

He is one of 60 players who have been added to the initial list which was released in February. The initial list is comprised of players who were All American or first-team, all-conference selections and the additional players are added just before the start of the season to reflect the announcement of preseason honor teams. This list is not intended to reflect an actual ballot for the selectors of the award, and any player who meets the playing criteria is eligible to receive votes.

Heos was added to the list after earning consensus pre-season All C-USA recognition. The senior from Pearland was a second team all conference pick last year by the media after making the switch from left tackle to left guard. He will be entering his third consecutive year as a starter along the Owls offensive line.

The Rotary Lombardi Award honors the top lineman or linebacker in college football while raising funds for the American Cancer Society. The award was created in the fall of 1970, shortly after Vince Lombardi passed away from cancer. LaMarr Woodley of Michigan was the most recent winner of the Rotary Lombardi Award.

This year's winner will be announced on December 5 in Houston at the conclusion of the annual Rotary Lombardi Award Dinner, which will again be held at the Hilton Americas Hotel.

Heos and his Rice teammates will open up their 2007 season on September 1 when they host Nicholls State at 7:00 at Rice Stadium.