ESPN College Football

HOUSTON -- The national leader in sacks, Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil was among four finalists named for the 36th Rotary Lombardi Award on Tuesday.

Also named were defensive tackle Rod Wright of Texas and linebackers A.J. Hawk of Ohio State and Paul Posluszny of Big Ten Conference rival Penn State.

The 6-foot, 258-pound Dumervil has 20 sacks -- 7½ more than any other player in the nation -- and needs five more to break the NCAA record set by 2002 Lombardi winner Terrell Suggs of Arizona State. Dumervil also has set an NCAA record by forcing 10 fumbles.

Wright has anchored the defensive line for the 10-0 Longhorns, who need two more wins to earn a berth in the Rose Bowl. The 6-5, 310-pound Wright has 38 tackles -- 12 for losses -- and 13 quarterback pressures, and is hoping to become Texas' first winner since Tony Degrate in 1984.

The 6-1, 240-pound Hawk has led the Buckeyes in tackles in nine of their 10 games this season. A semifinalist last year, he is looking to become the sixth Ohio State player to win the honor, more than any other school. Former Buckeye linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer won the award in both 1997 and 1998.

The only junior of the group, the 6-2, 229-pound Posluszny is fourth in the Big Ten with 106 tackles. He is hoping to become the second Penn State player to win the award, joining Bruce Clark in 1978.

The winner will be announced here on Dec. 7.