Houston ? Michigan defensive end LaMarr Woodley won the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation’s top college lineman or linebacker Wednesday night, becoming the first Wolverine to win the honor.

The 6-foot-2, 269-pound Woodley was the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year after ranking among the nation’s leaders in sacks (11), tackles for loss (15.5) and forced fumbles (4).

The other three finalists were Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny, Ohio State defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock and Texas offensive guard Justin Blalock. Posluszny also was a finalist last season. Woodley and Posluszny are also finalists for this season’s Bednarik Award, honoring the nation’s top defensive player.

Woodley is the eighth Big Ten player to win the Lombardi award. Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk won last season and Ohio State offensive guard Orlando Pace won it in 1995 and 1996.

Woodley and the other finalists arrived in Houston earlier this week and attended several events together leading up to Wednesday’s award ceremony.

Woodley and Pitcock didn’t talk about the Buckeyes’ 42-39 win over the Wolverines on Nov. 18 or the final Bowl Championship Series standings that made Florida (12-1), not Michigan, Ohio State’s opponent in the national championship game on Jan. 8.

The Wolverines (11-1) will play Southern Cal (10-2) in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. Woodley said he’ll root for the Buckeyes (12-0) a week later.

“If Ohio State wins, then everyone will say, ‘Well, Michigan should’ve been the team that played them,”‘ Woodley said Wednesday before the presentation. “And being that Ohio State is in my conference and they’re representing us, I’ve got to go with Ohio State. You can’t turn your back on your conference.”