Aug. 18, 2009

Arizona junior tight end Rob Gronkowski, the defending All-Pac-10 first-team pick and a third-team AP All-American in 2008, has been named to the watch lists for the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Maxwell Award.

Senior defensive tackle Earl Mitchell, who played his first two years as a tight end but switched to defense a year ago, also was named to the Lombardi Award watch list as was junior defensive end Brooks Reed.

The Lombardi goes to the nation's top Football Bowl Division lineman who best exemplifies the character and discipline of Vince Lombardi. It was established in 1970. The Maxwell Award goes to the nation's top overall player at any position. It was established in 1937.

Stoops talks about this week...

Gronkowski earlier was named to the preseason list for the John Mackey Award for the nation's top tight end.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound tight end has been partially sidelined with a sore back for the past week of UA's training camp, but is expected to be in top shape for Arizona's season opener Sept. 5 at home against Central Michigan.

Mitchell, 6-foot-3, 295, garnered honorable mention all-league honors in his first season as a DT in 2008 and finished with 40 tackles including 5.5 for losses. His leadership this coming season is expected to boost UA's defensive front in a big way.

Reed, 6-foot-3, 255, also earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors as a sophomore when he led the Cats with 8.5 sacks, second-best among returning league players. He should challenge for the pac-10 sack crown in 2009.

Gronkowski's Career Statistics