17 Senior Standouts have been named Quarterfinalists for 3rd Annual Lott Trophy

17 Senior Standouts Named Quarterfinalists for Third Annual Lott Trophy

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (October 25, 2006) – Seventeen college seniors, 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.

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 third 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.

“This is an impressive list of candidates,” said Lott.  “I believe that each of them is most deserving and it will be a difficult task to single out just one of these outstanding student-athletes.”

Eight different conferences are represented on the list of 17 with the Big 10 leading the way with five candidates.  Michigan and Texas were the only two schools with two quarterfinalists. There is nearly equal distribution by position with six linebackers, six defensive linemen and five defensive backs.

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 and DeMeco Ryans of Alabama were the winners of the first two Lott Trophies.  Both Georgia and Alabama received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds.  In two years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated $170,000 to various charities, in addition to the two 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 Master Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches. The watch list will be trimmed to seven semifinalists on Nov. 9 and the three finalists will be announced Nov. 27.

The winner will be announced at a gala black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach Dec. 10.  (Note: the banquet is sold out)

The 17 Quarterfinalists:

H.B. Blades, Sr, LB, Pitt

Mkistro Bruce, Sr, DE, Washington State

Tim Crowder, Sr., DE, Texas

Buster Davis, Sr., LB, Florida State

Michael Griffin, Sr., DB, Texas

Korey Hall, Sr., LB, Boise State

Leon Hall, Sr., CB, Michigan

Daymeion Hughes, Sr., CB, Cal

LaRon Landry, Sr., S, LSU

Quentin Moses, Sr., DE, Georgia

Sam Olajubutu, Sr., LB, Arkansas

Quinn Pitcock, Sr., DT, Ohio State

Paul Posluszny, Sr., LB, Penn State

Anthony Spencer, Sr., DE, Purdue

Eric Weddle, Sr., DB, Utah

Patrick Willis, Sr., LB, Mississippi

LaMarr Woodley, Sr., DE, Michigan

For more information on the Lott Trophy, go to: thelotttrophy.com