Kurt Coleman Named Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – The Pacific Club IMPACT* Foundation has announced the 20 quarterfinalists for the annual Lott Trophy.
Among the names is senior safety and co-captain Kurt Coleman who is tied for the team lead with two interceptions, one of which he returned 89 yards for a touchdown against Wisconsin. He leads the team with three forced fumbles and is second with 28 solo tackles (48 total). Coleman helps anchor a defensive unit that ranks second in the Big Ten and 11th nationally in total defense. The secondary’s pass efficiency defense ranks 19th in the NCAA.
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 sixth 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, the award is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
The quarter-finalists (alphabetically)
Sam Acho (DL, Texas)
Pat Angerer (LB, Iowa)
Eric Berry (DB, Tennessee)
Kurt Coleman (DB, Ohio State)
Jerry Hughes (DL, TCU)
Greg Jones (LB, Michigan State)
Trevard Lindley (DB, Kentucky)
Taylor Mays (DB, USC)
Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama)
Gerald McCoy (DL, Oklahoma)
Mike Nixon (LB, Arizona State)
Eric Norwood (DL, South Carolina)
Joe Pawelek (LB, Baylor)
Brian Price (DL, UCLA)
Brandon Spikes (LB, Florida)
Darrell Stuckey (DB, Kansas)
Ndamukong Suh (DL, Nebraska)
Alterraun Verner (DB, UCLA)
Sean Weatherspoon (LB, Missouri)
Kyle Wilson (DB, Boise State)
There are eight defensive backs on the quarter-finalist list; six linebackers and six defensive linemen. The Big 12 has six players on the list, the SEC five, the Pac-10 four, the Big Ten three and one each from the Mountain West and WAC.
The semi-finalists will be announced Nov. 3 and the four finalists Nov. 24. Those four finalists will be flown to Newport Beach, Ca. for the annual black-tie banquet that will be televised by FOX Sports West.
Past winners of The Lott Trophy:
2004 – David Pollack, Georgia
2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 – Dante Hughes, California
2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
In five years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $650,000 to various charities, including $25,000 to each of the winners’ universities. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the IMPACT Foundation, the IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisors comprised of retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former college head coaches.
Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and the Legends Coaches which is a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. The sixth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held December 13th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: www.LottTrophy.com.
