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Virginia Tech defensive ends Ken Ekanem and Dadi Lhomme Nicolas were both named to the “watch list” for the 2015 Rotary Lombardi Award.

Ekanem, a Centreville, Virginia native was a third-team All-ACC selection by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA) in 2014. He started all 13 games a year ago, leading the squad with 9.5 sacks. He also added 53 tackles, including 14.5 for loss, to go with 19 quarterback hurries. The redshirt junior has seen action in 24 career games for the Hokies.

Nicolas registered a team-best 18.5 tackles for loss along with nine sacks, 72 tackles and 35 quarterback hurries. The Delray Beach, Florida product has played in 36 career games (14 starts), owning 15 sacks, 29 tackles for loss, 52 quarterback hurries, an interception and a fumble recovery.

A second-team All-ACC selection by ACSMA in 2014, the redshirt senior was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after registering two sacks and five quarterback pressures against Ohio State.

Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to 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 first round of voting ends on Nov. 3, with the announcement of 12 semifinalists on Nov. 5.

The 46th Rotary Lombardi Award will be presented on Dec. 9 at the Bayou Music Center in Houston.

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