11/13/02

Redding tabbed Lombardi Trophy finalist

	Cory Redding

HOUSTON -- University of Texas senior DE Cory Redding (Houston, Texas) was named one of four Lombardi Trophy finalists (nation's outstanding interior linemen) on Thursday. He is the first Longhorn to be named a finalist since DT Tony Degrate won the award in 1984 and it marks the second time this week that he has been named a finalist for a national award (Hendricks Award on Tuesday).

A preseason consensus All-American and finalist for the inaugural Ted Hendricks Award (nation's outstanding defensive end), Redding has been at his best in posting 25 tackles (18 solo), 14 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 13 QB pressures and a forced fumble the last five games (three against Top 25 opponents).

Redding has 55 tackles (39 solo), two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and a pass deflection and leads the defense with 16 TFLs (-61 yards), 5.5 sacks (-42 yards) and 30 QB pressures this season. The Horns currently rank fifth nationally in total defense (261.6 ypg), second in passing defense (125.1 ypg) and fourth in scoring defense (13.0 ppg).

	Senior DE Cory Redding has been at his best over UT's last five contests with 25 tackles (18 solo), 14 TFLs, 5.5 sacks, 13 QB pressures and a forced fumble (three against Top 25 opponents).

"It's really exciting to be a finalist for the Lombardi Award," Redding said. "Personally, it is a great honor and it also speaks volumes for how our defense has played this year and the respect we are getting.

"Being in a position to win the Lombardi Trophy is a very prestigious honor. To be able to put so much time and passion into something you love and then be considered for an award like the Lombardi Award is the ultimate reward. Growing up in Houston where they present the award, I always associated the Lombardi Award with big, tough and noble, players. To be associated with guys like that and an award that has been around for a long time is what you dream about from the first day you step on a football field."

USA Today's National Prep Defensive Player of the Year in 1998, the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 1999 and 2001 first-team All-Big 12 and Associated Press second-team All-American, Redding ranks in a seventh-place tie on UT's career TFLs list (49) and has registered 190 tackles, 19 sacks and 70 QB pressures in four seasons with the Longhorns.

Redding is joined by Oklahoma DT Tommie Harris, Maryland LB E.J. Henderson and Arizona State DE Terrell Suggs on the finalists list.

Texas has had two Lombardi Trophy winners (Degrate, 1984/DT Kenneth Sims, 1981) and featured five other players among the Lombardi Trophy finalists (OT Doug Dawson, 1983/DT Steve McMichael, 1979/DT Brad Shearer, 1977/C Bill Wyman, 1973/OT Jerry Sisemore, 1972).

The four finalists were selected in a vote of more than 400 members of the Rotary Lombardi Selection Committee, which includes all Division I head football coaches, selected sports writers and broadcasters from around the country and the past winners of the award.

The finalists will be flown to Houston to attend the gala Rotary Lombardi Award Dinner, which will be held on the field of Houston's Reliant Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 11. Former President George Bush is the Honorary Chairman of the 2002 event and will speak at the dinner, as will legendary Green Bay Packers lineman Jerry Kramer and Houston Texans owner Bob McNair.

This marks the first time the Rotary Lombardi Award Dinner has moved from a hotel ballroom and also the first time an event of this magnitude will be hosted in the newly-opened Reliant Stadium.
Table sales for the dinner are currently underway. For more information about participating in or supporting the event as a sponsor, please call 713/942-1209 or visit the award's official Web site.

Now in its 33rd year of honoring the top lineman or linebacker in Division I-A football, the Rotary Lombardi Award Dinner has raised more than $2.6 million for The American Cancer Society since it was first held in 1970.

2002 Lombardi Trophy finalists
Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma
E.J. Henderson, LB, Maryland
CORY REDDING, DE, TEXAS
Terrell Suggs, DE, Arizona State