NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – Isaiah Simmons of Clemson has been named the Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week.
The 6-4, 230-pound junior from Olathe, Kansas had 11 tackles, 3.5 for losses and two sacks in a win over Syracuse, 41-6. The Tigers, the defending national champions, are undefeated (3-0) and ranked No. 2 in the country.
Last season, Simmons led the team in tackles with 97, including 11 on special teams. He was switched from safety to linebacker in 2018 and responded with a stellar sophomore season. In high school, he was a multi-sport star, winning the state long jump three times as well as being an all-state safety and wide receiver (averaged 34.3 yards per reception) in football.
He was also named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week.
“My goal for this season is to be, if not the best defensive player in the nation, then at least the best linebacker,” Simmons has said.
Clemson will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of his performance.
The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation sponsors the Lott IMPACT Trophy and has donated more than $1.5 million to universities and charities throughout the country.
Other nominees for the Lott IMPACT Trophy in Week Three:
Myles Bryant, CB, Sr., Washington: Had two interceptions, a sack and four solo tackles in win over Hawaii, 52-20.
Cole Christiansen, LB, Sr., Army: Led Black Knights with 9 tackles (6 solo) and added a sack in win over UTSA, 31-13.
Jordan Fuller, S, Sr., Ohio State: Had 5 solo tackles and one pass defended in win over Indiana, 51-10.
Richie Grant, DB, Jr., UCF: Led team with 8 tackles in win over Stanford, 45-27.
Curtis Weaver, DE, Sr., Boise State: Had 4 sacks, 6 total tackles in win over Portland State, 45-10.
Evan Weaver, LB, Sr., Cal: Led team with 11 tackles, one for a loss and had a quarterback hurry in win over North Texas, 23-17.
2019 Lott IMPACT Trophy Players of the Week:
Week One – Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
Week Two – Evan Weaver, Cal
Week Three – Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
Previous Winners of the Lott IMPACT Trophy:
2004 – David Pollack, Georgia
2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 – Dante Hughes, Cal
2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
2009 – Jerry Hughes, TCU
2010 – J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
2011 – Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2012 – Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
2013 – Anthony Barr, UCLA
2014 – Eric Kendricks, UCLA
2015 – Carl Nassib, Penn State
2016 – Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
2017 – Josey Jewell, Iowa
2018 – Josh Allen, Kentucky