What a day, and what a year it was for Carl Nassib.

The Penn State senior started off Wednesday by earning the Ted Hendricks Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top defensive end. He closed it with an even more impressive honor.

The former walk-on earned the 2015 Lombardi Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top lineman (offense or defense)/linebacker.

Against the likes of Ohio State’s Joey Bosa, Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett and Clemson’s Shaq Lawson, Nassib stood alone. He became just the second Lion in program history to win the award, and the first since 1978.

Nassib had an unprecedented senior year in his first full season as a starter. Despite the fact that he was basically out the last two games of the season, Nassib finished 2015 with a Penn State record 15.5 sacks.

That’s why the month of December has already been full of accolades for Nassib. Last week, he earned the B1G’s Defensive Player of the Year honor. He could have more honors to add to his trophy case by the end of the week.

Nassib is also a finalist for the Bednarik Award (nation’s top defensive player) and Lott IMPACT Trophy (distinguished young men represent the qualities embodied by Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott — Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity).

On Wednesday, former Penn State coach admitted he was wrong about Nassib, and that he underestimated his work ethic.

It’s safe to say he’s not the only one who failed to predict Nassib would have arguably the best defensive season of anybody in the country.