Sun Devil trio named to Lombardi watch list

Arizona State University senior defense end Dexter Davis, senior linebacker Mike Nixon and sophomore defensive tackle Lawrence Guy were all named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, awarded annually to the college football lineman -- offense or defense -- who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi.

Davis (Phoenix, Ariz.) has started all 38 games of his Sun Devil career. Davis is the only returning player in the nation to record back-to-back double digit sack seasons. He led ASU with 11.0 last year, and has 27.5 in his career. He earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 in 2008, thanks to his 40 tackles, 15.0 for loss and two forced fumbles. Davis has totaled 113 career tackles, 39 for loss and eight forced fumbles. He is also on the Hendricks Award Watch List and the Bednarik Award Watch List.

Nixon (Phoenix, Ariz.) led the Sun Devils with 90 tackles and five interceptions in 2008. The five interceptions tied him for the most in the Pacific-10 Conference, and he had a 45-yard interception return for a score against UCLA on November 28, part of ASU's NCAA record-tying four defensive touchdowns in the 34-9 victory. Nixon also had eight tackles for loss, five pass break-ups, one sack and one forced fumble on the season. He is also on the Watch List for the Lott Trophy and the Allstate/Good Works Team.

Guy (Las Vegas, Nev.) earned Freshman All-American honors last season. He played in all 12 games as a true freshman in 2008, starting the final eight. He collected 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and two sacks on the season, and he scored a touchdown on a fumble return in ASU's 31-0 victory over Washington State on Nov. 15.

To be eligible for the Lombardi Award, a player can be an offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker, or tight end as long as they meet the following qualifications: -Be a down lineman, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, setting up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball at the time of snap. -Be a linebacker on defense, setting up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. -May not come out of the offensive backfield and set up on the line of scrimmage as a blocker or receiver, or be listed as a back or receiver.

The winner will be announced December 9 in Houston, Texas.