Will Echoles, a defensive tackle for the University of Mississippi, was announced as one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, SuperTalk Mississippi reported on Nov. 4, 2026.
The Lombardi Award committee named a field of 12 candidates competing to be named college football’s most outstanding lineman or linebacker; the award also recognizes on-field discipline, the report said.
SuperTalk Mississippi reported Echoles is a Mississippi native and former Houston High School standout who has started all eight of the Rebels’ games this season. Through those games he has 21 total tackles, including four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two pass breakups and three quarterback hurries.
The report noted Echoles scored a goal-line touchdown on his first collegiate rushing attempt in Ole Miss’ 45-15 victory over Auburn on Oct. 31, 2026, and that he said the play had been practiced for a long time and followed similar defensive touchdowns by teammates.
Other semifinalists named in the report include former Ole Miss defensive end Princewill Umanmielen (now at LSU), Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons, Georgia center Drew Bobo and Kentucky offensive tackle Lance Heard.
The 53rd annual Lombardi Award will be presented Dec. 9, SuperTalk Mississippi reported.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
