Hawk Named Semi-Finalist For 2005 Lott Trophy – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2005
NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Ohio State Linebacker A.J Hawk has been named a semi-finalist for the 2nd annual Lott Trophy, presented by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, Ca.
Hawk is a 6-1, 238-pound senior who won both All-Big Ten and All-American honors a year ago. He leads the Buckeyes with 94 tackles (37 more than any other defender), including 11.5 tackles for losses. He has 6.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery for a defensive unit that is 8th in the country in points allowed (15 per game).
The Buckeyes are 7-2 and 5-1 in the Big Ten.
Head Coach Jim Tressel says, “A.J. Hawk is a consummate linebacker. Tough and ferocious. But what makes him special is his humility. He has no ego and is a complete team player.” Ohio State legend Chris Spielman says, “It is my belief that A.J. Hawk is the best linebacker in college football and the best defensive player in the game. Off the field he is a fine example of a student athlete. He understands and practices his role as leader and role model. I am encouraged and enthused when my own kids say they admire A.J. Hawk.”
The other semi-finalists are Notre Dame Linebacker Brandon Hoyte, Kentucky Cornerback Antoine Huffman, Maryland Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, Alabama Linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Virginia Defensive End Brennan Schmidt and Virginia Tech Defensive End Darryl Tapp.
In its second year, The Lott Trophy honors the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. The student-athlete is judged on both his on-field performance and his off-field performance. The Lott Trophy is the first sports award based on personal character and is appropriately named after the legendary defensive back, Ronnie Lott. Last year’s winner was David Pollack, the All-American defensive end from Georgia. Finalists will be announced Nov. 28. Voting for the winner will be conducted by Ernst & Young with ballots being sent to college offensive and defensive coordinators, national media, The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation Board of Directors, a Board of Advisors made up of former NFL players and coaches along with the three finalists from last year – Pollack, Derrick Johnson of Texas and Jim Leonhard of Wisconsin.
The winner will be announced on Dec. 11th at a gala black-tie Awards Banquet at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach.
Hoyte is a 5-11, 231-pound senior linebacker who is the captain of the Notre Dame team, leads the Irish in tackles (8 per game) and has been named to the academic all-district team twice. He is an honor student with a 3.35 GPA.
Huffman is a 6-0, 175-pound senior cornerback who leads the Wildcats in passes broken up. Huffman, with a 3.46 GPA, is a three time SEC Academic Honor Roll student. He won the 2004 Community Service Award and has already received his undergraduate degree in telecommunications and.
Jackson is a 6-1, 231-pound senior linebacker who averages 14 tackles per game, the most in the country, and mentors elementary school children.
Ryans is a 6-2, 232-pound senior linebacker who is a three-time All-Academic SEC performer, graduating cum laude in December. He is the top tackler for The Tide with 59, including 9 tackles for losses and already has 290 career tackles.
Schmidt is a 6-3, 289-pound senior defensive end who has been elected team captain the past two years, is an honor student with a 3.49 GPA and has started 47 consecutive games since his freshman season. He leads Virginia’s defensive line in tackles with 40, including four sacks, this season.
Tapp is a 6-1, 268-pound senior defensive end who anchors a defense that is No. 3 in the nation in scoring and No. 2 in yards allowed and has been given the President’s Award for Leadership.
