Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen wins Lombardi Award

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The Rotary Lombardi Award kept with tradition Saturday with Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen winning the 40-pound granite trophy.

Allen beat out three other finalists – 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson, Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett and Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers – as the Lombardi Award opened eligibility to all player positions in college football for the first time in its 47-year history.

"I was just in shock," Allen said after the announcement at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. "Whenever you receive an award of this magnitude, it's obviously a blessing."

Allen, a defensive force for national runner-up Crimson Tide who is projected as a top-5 pick in the NFL draft, cleaned up on the award circuit. He had already collected the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Chuck Bednarik, which honor the national defensive player of the year, and the Ted Hendricks Award as the top defensive end.

But this year Allen had some additional competition for the Lombardi Award. Since 1970, the award had been presented to the nation's top linemen (offensive and defensive) or linebacker. Organizers changed the format to recognize the college football player "who best demonstrates outstanding performance and skill in their position and best exemplifies the discipline, virtue and wisdom that defined Vince Lombardi's exceptional brand of leadership."

Allen said he was honored to keep the award among defensive players, which have won the award each year since 1996.

Allen joins Cornelius Bennett (1986) as the only Alabama players to win the Lombardi.

"Linemen I don't feel like a lot of the time get the credit they deserve," Allen said. "They do a lot of the dirty work and rightfully so. It comes with the responsibility. We understand that. To have the award does mean a lot to us."

Jonathan Allen, University of Alabama, poses with the Rotary Lombardi Award at the Hobby Center, 800 Bagby, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Houston. The four Rotary Lombardi Award candidates are Jonathan Allen, University of Alabama, Lamar Jackson University of Louisville, Jabrill Peppers University of Michigan, and Myles Garrett of Texas A & M University. ( Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle ) less Jonathan Allen, University of Alabama, poses with the Rotary Lombardi Award at the Hobby Center, 800 Bagby, Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017, in Houston. The four Rotary Lombardi Award candidates are Jonathan Allen, ... more Photo: Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle Photo: Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Alabama defensive end Jonathan Allen wins Lombardi Award 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

As a senior, Allen was a unanimous All-America selection and SEC Defensive Player of the Year after finishing with 69 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting.

His most memorable play of the season came against Texas A&M, when he blew by an offensive line and leaped over a running back – Superman style – for a sack of Trevor Knight.

Allen opted to return for his senior year despite a stellar junior season, finishing second all-time in school history in career sacks with 28.5, behind only College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas.

Allen said he plans to return to Orlando, Fla., to resume training for the NFL combine.

"I'm excited for the combine," he said. "I'm ready for that."