Four Auburn players picked up preseason recognition on Thursday.

Carl Lawson, Montravius Adams, Tre' Williams and Braden Smith were named to the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, according to Auburn. The full list is scheduled to be released later Thursday afternoon.

The award has been presented each year to the nation's top lineman or linebacker but is expanding to encompass "all position players," according to a report by the Houston Chronicle. Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib won the award last year.

It is Lawson's third watch list recognition this year. He was previously named to the Bronko Nagurski watch list, along with Adams, and the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, along with defensive back Rudy Ford. Lawson was named preseason First Team All-SEC.