UTEP football's Maurice Westmoreland was one of 90 defensive linemen and linebackers selected to the Lombardi Award Watch List.

Westmoreland led the Miners with 7.5 sacks and finished second in Conference USA in 2023. The senior led the league with 64 sack yards, and ranked fourth in CUSA with 10.5 tackles for loss (75 yards ranked second in the league). "Mo", who moved to the bandit position recently, added 37 tackles (24 solo), three breakups, four hurries and a forced fumble.

The product of Houston put up big numbers on national television at FIU on Oct. 11, tallying career-highs in tackles (six), tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (2.5). Westmoreland earned the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week after the tremendous effort. He also produced 2.5 TFLs and a sack during the Miners' come-from-behind win at Sam Houston on national TV on Oct. 25.

Westmoreland recorded his first career sack at Northwestern on Sept. 9, while also getting to the QB at Arizona the following week. He finished out his junior with a sack each at Middle Tennessee, and against no. 22 Liberty.

For Westmoreland, it's his second preseason watch list, as he was selected to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List on July 30.