Home Virginia Tech tight end James Mitchell named to Rotary Lombardi Award watch list
Football

Virginia Tech tight end James Mitchell named to Rotary Lombardi Award watch list

Chris Graham

virginia tech logoVirginia Tech tight end James Mitchell has earned a place on the 2021 Rotary Lombardi Award watch list, making him one of only nine tight ends in the nation to earn a spot on this prestigious honor roll.

The Rotary Lombardi Award, named for Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi, annually honors the offensive or defensive lineman who, along with outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the character and discipline of its namesake.

The inclusion on the Rotary Lombardi watch list marks the latest preseason honor for Mitchell. The Big Stone Gap, Virginia native was named to the 2021 All-ACC Preseason Team and has also been named to the watch list for the Mackey Award as one of the nation’s top tight ends. He was a second-team All-ACC selection of PFF College in 2020.

Mitchell enters his fourth season with the Hokies after leading the team with four receiving touchdowns in 2020. The Big Stone Gap native recorded 26 receptions for 435 yards in 10 games (nine starts) last season. In his 36 career games (18 starts) for Tech, Mitchell racked up 47 catches for 796 yards with six touchdowns to go along with five rushing TDs.

The 48th recipient of the Rotary Lombardi Award, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Houston, will be announced at a gala dinner in Houston on Dec. 8. The trophy is a 40-pound block of Texas pink granite chiseled to resemble the stance of a lineman and honors the memory of Lombardi who first made a name for himself as a member of Fordham’s “Seven Blocks of Granite.”

Support AFP

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

Latest News

aaron roussell
Basketball

UVA Basketball: Aaron Roussell getting $100K more per year than Coach Mox

golf
Etc.

Saudis pulling funding support for LIV Golf: Could WWE be next?

The Saudi Public Investment Fund is going to pull its funding of LIV Golf, sounding the death knell for the PGA Tour rival – and putting the careers of the top stars that the Saudis lured away with bags of money at question.

ncaa tournament
Basketball

Winners and losers with the new 76-team NCAA Tournament format

The new NCAA Tournament format, which will have the tourney bumping up to 76 teams in 2027, creates eight new at-large bids, and gives us 12 (!) play-in games – and a jumble for those trying to fill out brackets.

tess majors
Schools, Arts, Media

Augusta County: Tess Majors Foundation partners with Camp LIGHT on several projects

james comey
Politics, U.S. & World

Todd Blanche flails trying to explain James Comey ’86 47′ indictment

king charles
Virginia

King Charles, Queen Camilla, to visit Front Royal, Shenandoah National Park

downtown staunton dining
Local

Staunton: City government seeking input on downtown improvements