The award is named for Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, who before beginning a legendary career with the Green Bay Packers was a star lineman at Fordham University. There, he and his linemates earned the nickname, "The Seven Blocks of Granite."
The Lombardi Trophy, as a result, is nothing more than a block of granite on a pedestal.
The past winners of the award are listed here:
2009 Ndamukong Suh Nebraska
2008 Brian Orakpo Texas
2007 Glenn Dorsey LSU
2006 LaMarr Woodley Michigan
2005 A.J. Hawk Ohio State
2004 David Pollack Georgia
2003 Tommie Harris Oklahoma
2002 Terrell Suggs Arizona State
2001 Julius Peppers North Carolina
2000 Jamal Reynolds Florida State
1999 Corey Moore Virginia Tech
1998 Dat Nguyen Texas A&M
1997 Grant Wistrom Nebraska
1996 Orlando Pace Ohio State
1995 Orlando Pace Ohio State
1994 Warren Sapp Miami
1993 Aaron Taylor Notre Dame
1992 Marvin Jones Florida State
1991 Steve Emtman Washington
1990 Chris Zorich Notre Dame
1989 Percy Snow Michiga State
1988 Tracy Rocker Auburn
1987 Chris Spielman Ohio State
1986 Cornelius Bennett Alabama
1985 Tony Casillas Oklahoma
1984 Tony Degrate Texas
1983 Dean Steinkuhler Nebraska
1982 Dave Rimington Nebraska
1981 Kenneth Sims Texas
1980 Hugh Green Pittsburgh
1979 Brad Budde USC
1978 Bruce Clark Penn State
1977 Ross Browner Notre Dame
1976 Wilson Whitley Houston
1975 Lee Roy Selmon Oklahoma
1974 Randy White Maryland
1973 John Hicks Ohio State
1972 Rich Glover Nebraska
1971 Walt Patulski Notre Dame
1970 Jim Stillwagon Ohio State
