Photo by: NCAA Photos
Casey, Virgin-Morgan Featured on Lombardi Award Watchlist
8/12/2025 9:12:00 AM | Football
BOISE, Idaho – Boise State offensive tackle Kage Casey and EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan were featured on the Lombardi Award Watchlist, the organization announced. The award is presented annually to the nation's top down lineman or linebacker. This is the first time the Broncos have been represented on the watchlist since 2015, when Kamalei Correa, Marcus Henry, Rees Odhiambo and Tanner Vallejo were recognized.
Casey and Virgin-Morgan are two of four Mountain West players included on the 54-player watchlist, joining Air Force defensive tackle Payton Zdroik and Wyoming offensive guard Jack Walsh. Boise State is one of 12 schools with multiple selections.
Casey returns to anchor an offensive line that paved the way for the nation's fifth-best scoring offense, averaging 37.3 points per game last year. He played a team-high 947 offensive snaps, allowing zero sacks and earning a 99.3 Pro Football Focus pass blocking efficiency grade, third-highest among FBS tackles. The redshirt junior received All-America honors from five outlets in 2024, as well as a Freshman All-America selection in 2023. The team captain is also on the Outland Trophy Watch List and was tabbed Preseason All-America by Walter Camp (first team), Athlon Sports (second team) and Phil Steele (fourth team).
Virgin-Morgan was one of the top edge rushers in the country last season, collecting 10.0 sacks (14th in the FBS) and 15.5 tackles for loss (17th in the FBS). The redshirt junior earned All-MW First Team honors after leading a Boise State unit that recorded a nation-best 55 sacks. The team captain is also included on watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Shrine Bowl 1000. He was selected Preseason All-America Fourth Team by Athlon Sports and is featured on the Preseason All-MW team. He was also tabbed Preseason All-MW first team by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
The winner of the 52nd Lombardi Award will be announced at a ceremony in Houston, Dec. 10.
Broncos on 2025 Watch Lists
S Ty Benefield (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award)
OL Kage Casey (Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy)
RB Sire Gaines (Doak Walker Award)
LS Mason Hutton (Patrick Mannelly Award)
TE Matt Lauter (John Mackey Award)
QB Maddux Madsen (Davey O'Brien Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award)
CB A'Marion McCoy (Chuck Bednarik Award, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award)
LB Marco Notarainni (Wuerffel Trophy)
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy)
--BroncoSports.com--
Casey and Virgin-Morgan are two of four Mountain West players included on the 54-player watchlist, joining Air Force defensive tackle Payton Zdroik and Wyoming offensive guard Jack Walsh. Boise State is one of 12 schools with multiple selections.
Casey returns to anchor an offensive line that paved the way for the nation's fifth-best scoring offense, averaging 37.3 points per game last year. He played a team-high 947 offensive snaps, allowing zero sacks and earning a 99.3 Pro Football Focus pass blocking efficiency grade, third-highest among FBS tackles. The redshirt junior received All-America honors from five outlets in 2024, as well as a Freshman All-America selection in 2023. The team captain is also on the Outland Trophy Watch List and was tabbed Preseason All-America by Walter Camp (first team), Athlon Sports (second team) and Phil Steele (fourth team).
Virgin-Morgan was one of the top edge rushers in the country last season, collecting 10.0 sacks (14th in the FBS) and 15.5 tackles for loss (17th in the FBS). The redshirt junior earned All-MW First Team honors after leading a Boise State unit that recorded a nation-best 55 sacks. The team captain is also included on watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy and Shrine Bowl 1000. He was selected Preseason All-America Fourth Team by Athlon Sports and is featured on the Preseason All-MW team. He was also tabbed Preseason All-MW first team by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
The winner of the 52nd Lombardi Award will be announced at a ceremony in Houston, Dec. 10.
Broncos on 2025 Watch Lists
S Ty Benefield (Paycom Jim Thorpe Award)
OL Kage Casey (Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy)
RB Sire Gaines (Doak Walker Award)
LS Mason Hutton (Patrick Mannelly Award)
TE Matt Lauter (John Mackey Award)
QB Maddux Madsen (Davey O'Brien Award, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award)
CB A'Marion McCoy (Chuck Bednarik Award, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award)
LB Marco Notarainni (Wuerffel Trophy)
EDGE Jayden Virgin-Morgan (Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy)
--BroncoSports.com--
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