Keith, Hartline Added to Lombardi Watch List

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan University senior linebacker Red Keith of Franklin (Ga.) Heard County High School and junior offensive lineman Andrew Hartline of Stevensville (Mich.) Lakeshore High School have been added to the preseason watch list for the Lombardi Award.

Red Keith and Andrew Hartline are two of 108 players on the preseason watch list. The Lombardi Award is presented annually to the top lineman in college football. Offensive and defensive linemen, tight ends and linebackers who line up within five yards of the line of scrimmage are eligible for the award.

Keith has more career tackles (326) than any other returning player in the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. CMU’s leading tackler each of the last three seasons, Keith was an All-Mid-American Conference first team selection after posting a career-high 127 tackles in 2006. He made at least 13 tackles in four games a year ago, including a season-high 15 against both Boston College and Toledo.

Hartline, who has started all 25 games over the past two seasons at right tackle, will move to left tackle to replace NFL first-round draft pick Joe Staley. He was an All-MAC second team selection in 2006.

Central Michigan opens the 2007 season at Kansas on Saturday night.