<p>Georgia defensive end David Pollack won the Lombardi Award as the nation's top college lineman Wednesday night, one year after being a runner-up for the honor.</p><p>Pollack edged out Shaun Cody of Southern Cal, Erasmus James of Wisconsin and Derrick Johnson of Texas for the 40-pound granite trophy. He finished behind Oklahoma's Tommie Harris in 2003, yet another player who won the award on his second try.</p><p>"I tell you what, you don't want to be known as a two-time loser," Pollack joked Wednesday night. "I'm so proud to be honored this way ... I definitely couldn't have expected this."</p><p>Pollack had 48 tackles, including 9 1/2 sacks and 14 1/2 tackles for a loss, for No. 8 Georgia this season. He will lead the Bulldogs (9-2) against No. 16 Wisconsin (9-2) in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.</p><p>Once envisioned to be only a "good program guy" by Georgia coach Mark Richt, Pollack has turned out to be so much more.</p><p>"We thought he'd be a starter someday and do some good things," Richt said, "but we never dreamed he'd do the things he's done."</p><p>Pollack laughed at his coach's assessment of him as a recruit.</p><p>"Hey, I didn't think Coach Richt was going to be that good of a coach," he said.</p><p>Pollack arrived at Georgia expecting to play fullback and spent his entire first summer in Athens getting ready to be a blocker, only to get shifted to defense just as fall workouts began because of injuries and a lack of depth on the line.</p><p>The switch worked out just fine.</p><p>Pollack had 14 sacks as a sophomore in 2002, including a remarkable interception for a touchdown against South Carolina that made it possible for Georgia to go on to its first Southeastern Conference championship in 20 years.</p><p>After considering a jump to the pros after his junior season, Pollack returned to be named the conference defensive player of the year for the second time in three years.</p><p>"Coming back was the best decision I've made in my life," Pollack said. "I've just had so much fun this season and really took the time to enjoy everything."</p><p>He'll likely be a first-round pick now, though some wonder if his 6-foot-3, 260-pound frame will be able to contend with massive tackles in the NFL.</p><p>Pollack is the 15th player to become a two-time finalist and 10th to return and win the honor, joining a list that includes Chris Spielman, Orlando Pace and Harris.</p><p>He is also the first player from Georgia to win the award. The only other Bulldog to be a finalist was offensive lineman Matt Stinchcomb in 1998.</p><p>Pollack's win came as a bit of a shock considering Johnson was thought to be the favorite for the award.</p><p>"Everybody thought Derrick was going to win," Pollack said. "He's got the numbers and this is his home state."</p><p>While being introduced to a crowd of about 800 in a downtown Houston hotel ballroom, Johnson was greeted by cheers and hundreds of fans flashing the "Hook 'Em Horns" signs.</p><p>Houston Mayor Bill White, who was speaking at the dais, cracked: "Don't worry. Everything's fair around here. There's no homefield advantage."</p><p>Turns out, he was right.</p>
