Viloria named to list of nation's premier linebackers

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Viloria named to Lombardi Watch List
Senior linebacker has 240 stops in last two seasons

DALLAS, TEXAS -- SMU senior linebacker Vic Viloria was named today to the watch list for the 2002 Rotary Lombardi Award, presented to the nation's top college lineman or linebacker. The award is presented by the Rotary Club of Houston.

"Vic's track record on the field speaks for itself," said Mustang head coach Phil Bennett. "He is a throwback, a hard-nosed player who makes plays all over the field. We are expecting a lot out of him this season."

Viloria was a first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection last year when he ranked fourth in the conference with 110 tackles. The Chalmette, La., native led the league with 130 stops as a sophomore in 2000 and has recorded at least 10 tackles in 16 of his 28 career games.

[Pony Up]

With all the talk last year about how Jonas suddenly emerged from nowhere, or about the Luker/Page battle, or about the Jacob Crowley's surprise emergence as a consistent kicker last year, it seemed like we forgot about Vic Viloria, so it's nice to see him get the recognition he deserves. He is still the heart and soul of the team, and deserves every honor he gets. If there was any justice in the world, he'd win the award outright.

[MustangMom]

Ditto! Kudos to Vic for making this list. Vic always "leaves it all on the field" and deserves this recognition and more!

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Go Mustangs!!
-MustangMom

[DallasDiehard]

The Morning News ran a list today (Saturday) and it didn't include E.J. Henderson of Maryland. If he's not on the list yet, then this is a moot award, or maybe they only ran half a list. Most people are saying he's a sure-fire top-10 pick in next year's draft, and he was ACC defensive player of the year last year .... and he's not even on the list of the top players at his position?

With or without Henderson, major congratulations to Viloria.