Rocky Lombardi. With a name like that; he’s gotta be 1) A WWE wrestler 2) the old guy at the bowling alley with one eye that always wants to tell you stories about “the war” or 3) most importantly, one hell of a football player.
Spartan Nation is pretty sure he’s not #1 or #2 but is he #3?
With a lingering shoulder injury to starting QB Brian Lewerke, we got our first REAL look this weekend at his to-be successor, Rocky Lombardi. Who is this guy? Where did he come from? Does he know what scissors are?
In true Mark Dantonio fashion, he kept all of Spartan Nation, the media, and even his team in the dark about who would start against Purdue on Saturday. Right up until just before kickoff.
https://twitter.com/JAYCEE243/status/1056238023984250880
Facts:
- The 6’3 218lb Lombardi was 26-46 through the air for 318yds and 2 touchdowns, all with zero interceptions. He also rushed for 22 yards. Are those record numbers? Probably not. But coming from the disappointing numbers we’ve seen from Brian Lewerke thus far this season, they are definitely welcome.
- He’s one hell of an athlete. He was rated one of the top 5 dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation coming out of high school. But wait, there’s more. Most high-level athletes and coaches will tell you that multi-sport athletes simply perform better. Lombardi was also accomplished in baseball, wrestling, and track. With a senior wrestling record of 38-2, Lombardi took second place in the state of Iowa at 220lbs. He was also ranked in the top 10 nationally, for his weight class.
- He’s got a WICKED sweet name. Unfortunately for fans of the Rocky saga, he’s NOT named after the boxer. He is, however, named after a prominent athlete from Pennsylvania. Rocky Bleier, all pro 4 time Superbowl champion for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 70s and 80s. Then there’s “Lombardi”. No, there’s no relation to the Hall of Fame Coach. However, he does come from a deep-rooted football family. Great-grandfather, grandfather, and father are all long-serving coaches at the high school and collegiate level. Fun fact: his dad had an outstanding career at Arizona State. That’s ironic…
- He bears resemblance to a quarterback from EVERYONE’s favorite movie, “Remember the Titans”. Here’s to hoping Lombardi can be the Spartan’s much-needed ray of “Sunshine”.
https://twitter.com/Fedorch/status/1056250837213892608
