Gennarelli and Small Named to Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point junior offensive linemen Paolo Gennarelli and Brady Small have been named to the 2025 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List, as announced Tuesday by the Rotary Club of Houston.

The Rotary Lombardi Award is presented annually to the college football player who best embodies the values and spirit of legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi, including performance, leadership, character, and resilience. Established in 1970 shortly after Lombardi’s passing, the award honors linemen and linebackers who meet specific on-field criteria—lining up within ten yards of the ball on offense or defense, and not coming from the backfield or being listed as a receiver or offensive back.

Gennarelli and Small are key returners from an Army offensive line that dominated last season, helping the Black Knights lead the FBS in rushing yards per game (300.5) and capture the 2024 Joe Moore Award—given to the nation’s most outstanding offensive line unit. It marked the first time a Group of Five program earned the prestigious honor.

Small, a junior center, has started 26 straight games since stepping into the lineup as a true freshman in 2023. His consistency and poise have anchored Army’s interior line.

Gennarelli, also a junior, earned Associated Press Third Team All-America honors in 2024 while starting every game at right guard. He was also named the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week for his dominant performance against East Carolina on Oct. 19.

With their inclusion on the Lombardi Award Watch List, Small and Gennarelli continue to be recognized among the top linemen in college football heading into the 2025 season—adding to a growing list of accolades that includes the Outland Trophy Watch List for both, and the Rimington Trophy Watch List for Small.

Courtesy: Army West Point Athletics