Laurinaitis Named Winner of Fifth Annual Lott Trophy

NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – Ohio State Senior Linebacker James Laurinaitis has been named the winner of the fifth annual Lott Trophy. Laurinaitis was presented with the trophy Sunday night by Ronnie Lott at a black-tie banquet in Newport Beach.

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.

LOTT TROPHY NAMES FOUR FINALISTS

NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – The Lott Trophy, the only collegiate football award where character counts, has announced its four finalists for 2008. 

    Linebacker Aaron Curry of Wake Forest, Linebacker James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, Defensive End Brian Orakpo of Texas and Defensive Back Myron Rolle of Florida State are this season’s finalists, chosen from an initial Watch List of 42 outstanding student-athletes throughout the country, who have all performed at a high level on the football field and exhibited selfless character off the field.

      The winner will be announced at a black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Ca. Dec. 14. 

Florida State’s Rolle Named Lott Player of the Week

NEWPORT BEACH , Ca.—Florida State ‘s Myron Rolle has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.
    Rolle was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship last week and was then flown to Maryland where he played the second half of Florida State ‘s big 37-3 win over the Terrapins. Florida State will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Rolle’s accomplishment.
    “He is a remarkable young man and a tremendous example for all of our students,” said Florida State President T.K. Wetherell, speaking of the scholarship.  “The entire Florida State community joins me in congratulating him on his wonderful accomplishment.”

Ohio State’s Laurinaitis Named Lott Player of the Week

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Ohio State Linebacker James Laurinaitis has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.

    Laurinaitis had 8 tackles, a forced fumble, 1.5 tackles for losses, a quarterback hurry and a pass defended in the Buckeyes’ 30-20 win over Illinois .  Ohio State will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Laurinaitis’ performance.
    Laurinaitis (6-3, 244, Hamel, Mn.) was selected by The Legends Football Coaches Association.  Former Ohio State Coach John Cooper, a member of the Legends Coaches, said, “Laurinaitis’ play against Illinois was the most impressive in his three years playing for the Buckeyes.  He was the best player on the field without a doubt. Jim’s had some great games in the past, but this was his most complete and dominant performance.”

LOTT TROPHY NAMES EIGHT TO SEMI-FINALIST LIST

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.

Missouri’s Weatherspoon Named Lott Player of the Week

Missouri’s Weatherspoon Named Lott Player of the Week

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Missouri Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.

    Weatherspoon had 13 tackles, 2 tackles for losses, a sack (for a 17-yard loss) and a pass breakup in Missouri ’s 41-24 win over Kansas State .  Missouri will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Weatherspoon’s performance.
    Weatherspoon (6-1, 230, Junior, Jasper, Texas ) was selected by The Legends Football Coaches Association.  Former Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder, a member of the Legends Coaches, said, “Weatherspoon has been a tremendous player for Missouri ... their “Bell Cow” on defense. He’s a team leader and has been impressive in every game this year.”

Cal’s Follett Named Lott Player of the Week

Cal’s Follett Named Lott Player of the Week

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Cal Linebacker Zack Follett has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia. It is the second time this season, Follett has been honored.

    Follett had 11 tackles, 3 tackles for losses, a sack and 3 pass breakups in Cal ’s 26-16 win over Oregon .  Cal will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Follett’s performance.  Follett (6-1, 238, Senior, Clovis , Ca.) was selected by The Legends Football Coaches Association.  Former Washington Coach Don James, a member of the Legends Coaches, said: “Follett was very active against Oregon ‘s spread offense.  It takes exceptional skill to make that many tackles against the Ducks’ wide-open version of the spread.  Zack’s numbers were even more amazing considering the playing conditions from the driving rainstorm throughout the game made footing extremely tough.”

20 STANDOUTS NAMED QUARTERFINALISTS

20 STANDOUTS NAMED QUARTERFINALISTS

FOR FIFTH ANNUAL LOTT TROPHY®

    NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – Twenty of college football’s finest defensive players, who have performed at a high level on the football field and exhibited selfless character off the field, have been named quarterfinalists for the third annual Lott Trophy®, it was announced today.

ORAKPO THROWS HIS WEIGHT AROUND THE FIELD

Texas Football, 2008, is a gunslingin’ , six-shootin’ attacking offense led by a guy named Colt. 

      The Longhorns have overwhelmed their foes and buried them in burnt orange and quarterback Colt McCoy has climbed to the top of the Heisman Trophy list.

      But don’t forget about the other side of the ball!  The Texas Longhorns do play defense.  Good old fashioned, knock-‘em-down defense led by a 6-4, 260-pound man-child named Brian Orakpo.

Illinois’ Miller Chosen Lott Player of the Week

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Illinois Linebacker Brit Miller has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.  Miller had a sensational game against Wisconsin, recording 16 total tackles (13 solos), a sack and three passes broken up in a 27-17 loss. Illinois will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Miller’s performance.

Tennessee’s Berry Chosen Lott Player of the Week

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Tennessee ’s sensational Sophomore Safety Eric Berry has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.

Berry (5-11, 195, Fairburn, Ga.) had a career high 10 tackles, including one sack and his fifth interception of the season, returning it 72 yards for a touchdown, in the Volunteers’ 34-3 win over Mississippi State.  Berry now has 397 yards in interception return yards, breaking a 60-year Southeastern Conference record.  Tennessee will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Berry’s performance.

Pitt Star More Than Another Tough Guy

When it comes to football, Pittsburgh and toughness go together like the Packers and Lombardi, like Doug Flutie and The Hail Mary.

      The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Steel Curtain Defense conjurs up images of eyes-bulging, maniacal, meat-chewing behemoths charging in to smash quarterbacks.

      Mike Ditka, the NFL symbol for toughness, is from Pittsburgh.  Guys who played for Pitt were named Jumbo Jim Covert or Ironhead Heyward. 

Enter Scott McKillop, middle linebacker, University of Pittsburgh.  Two hundred and forty-pound tackling machine.  Tough?  On the field, you bet.  Off the field, he’s much more than that.

Texas Star Orakpo Named Lott Player of the Week

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Texas Defensive End Brian Orakpo has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.

Orakpo (6-4, 260, Houston) had two sacks, four tackles for losses and a forced fumble as Texas defeated the No. 1 team in the country, Oklahoma, 45-35.  Texas will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Orakpo’s performance.

Jorgensen: A Cougar With Claws

Lott Profiles, 2008

Jorgensen: A Cougar With Claws

There are two kinds of football fans in Utah.

Those who love and root for BYU.  And those who hate and root against BYU.  Fans of Utah and Utah State are always in the later group.

Think Alabama-Auburn, USC-UCLA.

So it was for Jan Jorgensen, growing up in a Utah State household that despised BYU.

Pitt’s McKillop Named Lott Player of the Week

Oct. 6, 2008

Pitt’s McKillop Named Lott Player of the Week

    NEWPORT BEACH , Ca.—Pittsburgh Linebacker Scott McKillop has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.  McKillop had 12 solo tackles, including 2 sacks (for 24 yards in losses), in Pitt’s 26-21 upset win over South Florida . McKillop now has 52 tackles on the season.  Pitt (4-1) will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of McKillop’s performance.  He was also named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and the Big East Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season and the fourth time in his career.

Texas’ Orakpo Named Lott Player of the Week

Texas’ Orakpo Named Lott Player of the Week

Texas Defensive End Brian Orakpo has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.  Orakpo had two sacks, a forced fumble, a quarterback hurry and another tackle behind the line of scrimmage as the Longhorns remained undefeated (4-0) with a 52-10 win over Arkansas .  Orakpo has six sacks on the season, second best in the nation. Texas will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Orakpo’s performance.

Wake Forest’s Curry Named Lott Player of the Week

Wake Forest Senior Linebacker Aaron Curry has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.  Curry (6-3, 247, Fayetteville , NC ) had an interception (with a 22-yard return), a fumble recovery and a team-high 8 tackles in Wake Forest ’s 12-3 win over Florida State .

South Florida’s Selvie Named Lott Player of the Week

University of South Florida Defensive End George Selvie has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.

Selvie broke up three passes and recorded a sack while constantly harassing quarterback Todd Reesing of Kansas in the Bulls’ electrifying 37-34 win last week.  South Florida will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Selvie’s performance.

Kentucky’s Jarmon: A Star on Many Stages

Lott Profiles, ‘08

Kentucky’s Jarmon: A Star on Many Stages

      Deacon Jones or James Earl Jones?

      To sack or to speak?

      That is the question for Jeremy Jarmon of Kentucky.

Cal’s Follett Named Lott Player of the Week

    Cal Linebacker Zack Follett has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.
 
    Follett scored on a 65-yard return of a blocked field goal, had a sack and another tackle for loss in Cal’s 66-3 win over Washington State. 
    Cal will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Follett’s performance.

The Lott Trophy®, 2008   Verner Named First Lott IMPACT® Player of the Week

UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner has been named the first winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT® Player of the Week presented by Wachovia.
Verner had an interception and was a key force in a Bruin defense that helped UCLA to a 27-24 upset win over Tennessee Monday night.
UCLA will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Verner’s performance.

Sporting News to be exclusive media partner of the Legends Poll

Sporting News to be exclusive media partner of the Legends Poll, a top 25 ranking of Division 1 teams chosen weekly by college football’s coaching elite. NEW YORK, Aug. 26

Cushing Set for Stellar Senior Season

Lott Profiles, 2008

CUSHING SET FOR STELLAR SENIOR SEASON

He arrived on the University of Southern California campus from Park Ridge, New Jersey in 2005, eager and anxious for the challenge of becoming a part of one of college football’s fabled programs.

Kansas Rises on Shoulders – or Brains – of Defensive Ends

Lott Profiles 2008

Kansas football, not too long ago, was a footnote on Saturday afternoons in the fall.  On the Lawrence campus, the gridiron boys were an afterthought to the knights of the hardwood. 

And while KU basketball flourished last season—all the way to a national championship—the football program is now able to climb the same podium and receive its own plaudits.

The Mini-Biography of George Selvie (So Far)

Name: George Selvie

School: University of South Florida

Occupation: Quarterback-Seeking Defensive End

Lott Trophy® Announces Player of the Week Award

Newport Beach, Ca. – For four years, The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation® has proudly honored the college football defensive player of the year who has had the biggest IMPACT both on and off the field.

5 on 5 with The Lott Trophy®

Keith Jackson to Speak at Lott Dinner

Newport Beach, Ca. – “Whoa, Nellie.” Keith Jackson is coming to Orange County.

      The legendary college football broadcaster will serve as the keynote speaker for the fifth annual Lott Trophy® Awards Banquet Dec. 14 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach.

The Two Worlds of George Hypolite

      George Hypolite spends his Saturday afternoons in the fall bowling over mammoth offensive linemen, intent on crushing those carrying or passing the football.  Wham, bam!

      George Hypolite spends much of his other time working in soup kitchens, feeding AIDS patients, caring for seniors, helping distribute holiday gifts and generally doing good deeds on a routine basis. 

      In other words, he’s Mother Teresa in cleats.  All 285 pounds of him. 

Oregon’s Reed Keeps on Going

The energizer bunny has nothing on Nick Reed. 
Oregon’s senior defensive end keeps going and going and going…
Undersized at 255 pounds, he is a relentless pass rusher who has been going and going since he arrived on the Eugene campus four years ago. 

FLORIDA STATE’S STAR IS A MODEL A

When profiling Florida State’s extraordinary Myron Rolle, a student-athlete with such enormous reach and resolve, it is almost impossible to avoid the obvious phrase: Rolle Model.

Character Continues To Play Role In NFL Draft Selections

With the Bengals selecting USC LB Keith Rivers with the No. 9 pick in the NFL Draft Saturday, there “seems to be a mandate from above, be it from team owner Mike Brown or NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, that the Bengals clean up their embarrassing act,” according to Tom Archdeacon of the DAYTON DAILY NEWS.

The Lott Trophy® In The NFL Draft ‘08

DORSEY, BECOMES HIGHEST DRAFTED WINNER;
LONG BECOMES HIGHEST DRAFTED FINALIST

      LSU’s Glenn Dorsey, the winner of the 2007 Lott Trophy®, was the fifth overall selection in the annual National Football League draft, being chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs while Virginia’s Chris Long, a finalist for the award, was selected second overall by the St. Louis Rams. 

42 Collegiate Standouts Named to Lott Trophy® Watch List

Forty-two of the nation’s top collegiate   defensive players have been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy® Watch List, it was announced today.
There are seven repeat nominees for the award, including James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, a finalist last year.  The other players nominated for a second straight year are Jonathan Casillas of Wisconsin, Maurice Crum, Jr. of Notre Dame, Brian Cushing of USC, Zack Follett of Cal, Nic Harris of Oklahoma and Darryl Richard of Georgia Tech.

The Lott Trophy® By the Numbers

Newport Beach, Ca.—LSU’s Glenn Dorsey, the recipient of the 2007 Lott Trophy®, became the third player from the Southeastern Conference to win the award—and the second defensive lineman—in its first four years.

LSU’s Dorsey Wins Lott Trophy®

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca.—Defensive Tackle Glenn Dorsey of LSU was named the winner of the fourth annual Lott Trophy® Sunday night at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach.

2007 IMPACT® Award Ceremony Live on FSN West

Lott Trophy® Presented to College Football Defensive IMPACT® Player of the Year
Event Telecast Airs Sunday, December 9 at 9:30 PM Live from Newport Beach

Four Finalists for the 2007 IMPACT® Award have been named.

Four finalists for the 2007 IMPACT® Award have been named. 
Glenn Dorsey of Louisiana State University
James Laurinaitis of The Ohio State University
J Leman of The University of Illinois
Chris Long of The University of Virginia

Lott Trophy® Announces ‘Cutdown’ Dates

Newport Beach, Ca.—The Lott Trophy®, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player who has had the biggest IMPACT on his team both on and off the field, has announced the dates during the 2007 college season that the Watch List of 42 players will be cut to the final four leading up to the annual awards banquet Dec. 9.

Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen To Receive Lott Trophy Lifetime IMPACT® Award

Newport Beach, Ca. – Merlin Olsen, one of the most decorated performers in the history of the National Football League, will be honored at the 4th annual Lott Trophy Dinner Dec. 9 in Newport Beach, Ca.  Olsen has been named recipient of The Lott Trophy Lifetime IMPACT® Award.

The award goes to a former athlete who excelled on the field and went on to a distinguished post-football career.

Olsen, a member of the fabled Fearsome Foursome of the Los Angeles Rams, was a college All-American at Utah State where he won the 1961 Outland Trophy as the outstanding lineman in the nation.  Drafted in the first round by the Rams in 1962, he played in a record 14 consecutive Pro Bowls, the most in NFL history.  He is widely considered the finest defensive tackle to ever play in the league and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

ESPN Interview