Per GoBearcats:
University of Cincinnati fifth-year senior offensive lineman Lorenz Metz has garnered preseason recognition on the Rotary Lombardi Watch List.
The award is presented annually to the college football offensive or defensive lineman, who in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of NFL Hall of Fame Head Coach Vince Lombardi.
Metz started in eight games at right guard en route to All-AAC First Team and CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. The Neuötting, Germany, native has 21 starts in his career, playing guard and both tackle spots, and graduated in December with a degree in industrial management. He was one of the standouts on an offensive line paved the way for UC’s offense to average the ninth-most yards per play (6.71) in the country.
UC ranked second the AAC in yards per rush (5.22), and the offensive line gave up only 53 tackles for loss all season long, which was the seventh-fewest in the nation. Cincinnati set single-season school records for touchdowns (70) and points (516). The Bearcats averaged 36.9 ppg to rank second the AAC and rank No. 11 nationally.
BEARCATS ON AWARD WATCH LISTS
Luke Fickell: Bobby Dodd (head coach)
Nick Mardner: Biletnikoff (wide receiver)
Leonard Taylor and Josh Whyle: Mackey (tight end)
Deshawn and Ivan Pace: Butkus (linebacker)
Deshawn and Ivan Pace: Nagurski (overall defender)
Dylan O’Quinn and Jake Renfro: Outland (interior lineman)
Ryan Coe: Lou Groza (kicker)
Ryan Montgomery: Paul Hornung (most versatile)
Wilson Huber: Wuerffel (community service and playing field)
Wilson Huber: Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (community service and playing field)
Deshawn Pace: Bednarik (top defensive player)
Lorenz Metz: Rotary Lombardi (offensive or defensive lineman)
