IU Offensive Lineman Dan Feeney Named to Rotary Lombardi Watch List

Dan Feeney is peppering the award watch lists this summer. Image: IUHoosiers.com

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Heading into the 2015 most people figured that the offensive line was going to be a major strength for the Hoosiers. The man anchoring that line is junior Dan Feeney.

On Tuesday morning Dan Feeney was named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List. In order to be eligible for the Rotary Lombardi Award a player has to be a down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. The candidates earned a place on the preliminary Watch List by earning All-American honors, being named to their respective all-conference teams or receiving 2015 preseason honors.

The award was established in 1970 by the Rotary Club of Houston in memory of legendary coach Vince Lombardi. The Rotary Lombardi Award trophy, made from 40 lbs. of Texas pink granite chiseled to resemble the stance of a lineman, is presented annually in Houston at a gala Presentation where the four finalists are honored.

Past winners include Arizona's Scooby Wright III (Arizona 2014), Manti Te'o (Notre Dame 2012), and Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska 2009). Eight of the winners and finalists have gone on to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Feeney  started all 12 games in 2014 and led the offensive line with 80 knockdowns. Indiana set a program single-season record with 3,163 rushing yards. IU averaged 263.6 rushing yards per game (ninth nationally, third in the Big Ten) and 405.0 total yards (fifth in the Big Ten). Earlier this month he was also named to the Outland Trophy Watch List.