Kwiatkowski Named to Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Senior linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski was one of 90 players nationwide and one two Mid-American Conference players selected to the preseason watch list for the Rotary Lombardi Award, which honors the nation's top college football lineman or linebacker who sets up no further than five yards from the line of scrimmage.

Sponsored and awarded by the Rotary Club of Houston, Texas, the honor is presented annually to the college football player "who best embodies the values and spirit of NFL's legendary coach Vince Lombardi. To be considered for the award, players must be an NCAA FBS college football team member and meet the following qualifications: be a down lineman, either on offense or defense setting up no further than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball at the time of the snap or be a linebacker on defense, setting up no further than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage. Kwiatkowski qualifies as a middle linebacker.

Now a Rotary Lombardi and Butkus Award Watch honoree, Kwiatkowski is a consensus preseason All-MAC first team selection by Athlon, Lindy's, and Phil Steele. He was listed as the No. 40 ranked draft eligible inside linebacker by Lindy's Magazine. Kwiatkowski was also named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 list.

In 2024, Kwiatkowski earned Second Team All-MAC honors after leading Central Michigan in tackles (96), solo tackles (48), tackles for loss (14.5-30 yards), along with one interception, one pass breakup, and a quarterback hurry. The Sterling Heights, Mich. native ranked No. 46 in the nation in total tackles (8.0 per game), No. 8 in the MAC in tackles (8.0 per game), and No. 3 in tackles for loss (1.17 per game). He also registered 10 or more tackles in four games and led CMU in tackles in five contests.

In his three-year career at Central Michigan Kwiatkowski has played in 34 games, has made a total of 138 total tackles (69 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss for 31 yards, one interception, four pass breakups and a blocked kick. He has totaled 10 or more tackles in six career games.

2025 CENTRAL MICHIGAN'S PRESEASON FOOTBALL HONORS

NATIONAL HONORS/WATCH LIST
Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Butkus Award Watch List: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
AFCA Good Works Team nominee: Michael Heldman, DL
Wuerffel Trophy nominee: Michael Heldman, DL
East-West Shrine Bowl Top-1000: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB

ATHLON MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Michael Heldman, DL; Dakota Cochran, LB; Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Second Team: Brady Ploucha, OL
Third Team: Tyson Davis, WR; Kade Kostus, DL; Caleb Spann, DB
Fourth Team: Trey Cornist, RB; Elijah Rikard, DB

LINDY'S MAGAZINE PRESASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Second Team: Dakota Cochran, LB
No. 40 Draft Eligible ILB: Jordan Kwiatkowski

PHIL STEELE MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Second Team: Dakota Cochran, LB; Ben Pratt, LS
Third Team: Kade Kostus, DL; Michael Heldman, DL
Fourth Team: DeCorion Temple, TE; Brady Ploucha, OL; Fernando Sanchez III, LB; Caleb Spann, DB

—CMU—

Players Mentioned

Dakota Cochran

Trey Cornist

Tyson Davis

Michael Heldman

Kade Kostus

Jordan Kwiatkowski

Brady Ploucha

Ben Pratt

Elijah Rikard

Fernando Sanchez III

Caleb Spann

DeCorion Temple

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