JONESBORO (1/5/10) - Arkansas State head football coach Steve Roberts has announced that Michael Lombardo, an all-conference performer at College of the Sequoias (Calif.) and former all-state selection at Jupiter Christian School (Fla.), signed a National Letter of Intent during the mid-term period to play for the Red Wolves next season.

Lombardo, a 6-1, 230-pound linebacker, will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Red Wolves and will be able to practice with the team during its spring camp.

Lombardo was an NCFA Valley All-Conference First Team selection and earned the league's defensive MVP award last season as a sophomore at COS.  He posted 59 tackles (38 solo, 21 assist), 12.5 tackles for loss, a team-high seven sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery during the Giants' 5-5 campaign in 2009.

"Michael is an outstanding football player who plays the game with a tremendous amount of passion," said Roberts.  "He is extremely intelligent and has great leadership abilities.  We are excited about adding him to our football team."

Lombardo, recently named a Nor-Cal First Team All-Combine selection, recorded seven tackles in limited action as a freshman at COS.

The Jupiter, Fla. native led Jupiter Christian School to a 14-1 state championship season his senior season while playing both linebacker and tight end.  He was named first team all-state, first team all-area and first team all-conference after posting 131 tackles and nine sacks during his senior campaign.  He also posted 17 receptions for 360 yards and three touchdowns from his tight end position.

Following his senior season at Jupiter Christian, Lombardo also competed in the Outback Bowl, an all-star game for All-Palm Beach County selections.