Dec. 2, 2008
For Use as Desired
Oregon’s Nick Reed Named Lott Player of the Week
NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Oregon’s Nick Reed has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.
Reed had three more sacks, giving him 13 on the season and 29 ½ for his career, a forced fumble and a pass break up in Oregon’s big 65-38 win over Oregon State in ‘The Civil War’ game.
Reed was also named to the Academic All-American team this week.
Former Washington Coach Don James, a member of the Legends Coaches (who select the recipient each week), said, “Oregon’s Nick Reed lines up over the tackle as a down lineman, but plays the position like a linebacker. He’s really quick and agile with a relentless attitude. Watching him play on Saturday, he showed great sportsmanship by picking up the opposing quarterback after sacking him. You don’t see much of that anymore.”
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 college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.
Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, Ca., the 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 won the initial Lott Trophy in 2004. DeMeco Ryans of Alabama won the award in 2005 Daymeion Hughes of Cal was the recipient in 2006 and Glenn Dorsey of LSU in 2007. Georgia, Alabama, Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds. In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $450,000 to various charities, including the four universities.
Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisors comprised of many retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.
Other players considered by The Legends Coaches this week were Brian Orakpo of Texas, Aaron Curry of Wake Forest, Myron Rolle of Florida State and Eric Berry of Tennessee.
The Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week, 2008
Week I – Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
Week II – Zack Follett, LB, Cal
Week III – George Selvie, DE, South Florida
Week IV – Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Week V – Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Week VI – Scott McKillop, LB, Pitt
Week VII - Brian Orakpo, DE,Texas
Week VIII – Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Week IX – Brit Miller, LB, Illinois
Week X – Zack Follett, LB, Cal
Week XI – Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
Week XII – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
Week XIII – Myron Rolle, Florida State
Week XIV – Nick Reed, Oregon
LOTT SHOTS: Wake Forest Linebacker Aaron Curry had 6 tackles, (one for loss) in 23-10 win over Vanderbilt…Florida State’s Myron Rolle led the Seminoles in tackles with 7 in a 45-15 loss to Florida…Scott McKillop of Pitt recorded 7 more tackles as the Panthers defeated West Virginia, 19-15….Tennessee’s Eric Berry had 5 tackles, including 2 for losses in a 28-10 win over Kentucky…Texas Defensive End Brian Orakpo had 3 tackles for losses, including 1 ½ sacks and a forced fumble in the Longhorns’ win over Texas A&M, 49-9.
LEADERS: Oregon’s Reed leads the Pac-10 in sacks with 13, tackles for losses with 19.5 and fumbles recovered with 5.
Illinois’ Brit Miller leads the Big-10 in tackles with 124. Laurinaitis is second with 121.
Tennessee’s Eric Berry is tied for the national lead in interceptions with 7. He leads the country in interception return yardage with 265.
ALL-DECADE TEAM: Sports Illustrated has named James Laurinaitis of Ohio State (a two-time Lott finalist) to its All-Decade college football team. Glen Dorsey of LSU (the 2007 Lott winner), Paul Posluszny of Penn State (a 2006 finalist) and Derrick Johnson of Texas (a 2004 finalists) were also named to the team.
For more information on the Lott Trophy, go to: thelotttrophy.com
Contact:
Pete Donovan
Media Relations, The Lott Trophy
76348 Sweet Pea Way
Palm Desert, Ca. 92211
760/360-0414