LOTT TROPHY NAMES EIGHT TO SEMI-FINALIST LIST
NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – Four linebackers, two defensive backs and a pair of defensive ends have been named semi-finalists for the fifth annual Lott Trophy®, it was announced today.
The linebackers, all among the top tacklers in the nation, are Aaron Curry of Wake Forest, James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, Scott McKillop of Pitt and Brit Miller of Illinois. Safeties Eric Berry of Tennessee and Myron Rolle of Florida State are joined on the semi-final list by Defensive Ends Brian Orakpo of Texas and Nick Reed of Oregon, two of the top pass rushers in the country.
Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its fifth year, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.
Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the Lott award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
David Pollack of Georgia, DeMeco Ryans of Alabama, Dante Hughes of Cal and Glenn Dorsey of LSU were the winners of the first four Lott Trophies. Georgia, Alabama, Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds. In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated $450,000 to various charities, in addition to the universities.
Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.
A look at the eight semi-finalists:
*Berry (5-11, 195, So., Fairburn, Ga.): Is tied for the national lead in interceptions with six. Has returned interceptions his first two seasons for 397 yards, an SEC record. He is the first sophomore to be named a Lott semi-finalist in the five years of the award.
*Curry (6-3, 240, Sr., Fayetville, NC): Has 77 tackles on the season and 11.5 tackles for loss. Has stated his desire to attend law school.
*Laurinaitis (6-3, 244, Sr., Hamel, Mn.): Lott finalist last year. Has won the Butkus and Nagurski awards in previous seasons. Has 101 tackles on the season. Two-time Buckeye captain.
*McKillop (6-2, 240, Sr., Export, Pa.): Three-time Big East Player of the Week this season. Has 89 total tackles on year, 12.5 for losses. Has already received a degree from Pitt in business and marketing.
*Miller (6-1, 251, Sr., Decatur, Il.): Leads Illini in tackles (110), tackles for loss (15.5) and sacks (6). Named to American Football Coaches Assn. Good Works Team.
*Orakpo (6-4, 260, Sr., Houston): Two-time Lott Player of the Week this season. Has 8.5 sacks, 13 tackles for losses. Has been on Texas honor roll.
*Reed (6-2, 255, Sr., Trabuco Canyon, Ca.): Led Pac-10 in sacks last year and has 9 this season. Semifinalist for Draddy Award, the academic Heisman.
*Rolle (6-2, 218, Jr., Galloway, NJ): A grad student in public administration, he has a 3.71 GPA and is a candidate for a Rhodes Scholarship. He is second on the Seminole team with 46 tackles, has 5 passes defended and 5 passes broken up.
Four finalists will be announced Nov. 26 with all four attending the annual gala black-tie banquet in Newport Beach Dec. 14 where the winner will be announced. (Note: the banquet is sold out)
This year’s keynote speaker will be long-time college football announcer Keith Jackson.
The 2008 Lott Trophy Semi-finalists:
Eric Berry, So., S, Tennessee
Aaron Curry, Sr., LB, Wake Forest
James Laurinaitis, Sr., LB, Ohio State
Scott McKillop, Sr., LB, Pitt
Brit Miller, Sr., LB, Illinois
Brian Orakpo, Sr., DE, Texas
Nick Reed, Sr., DE, Oregon
Myron Rolle, Jr., S, Florida State