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Lott IMPACT Trophy Announces 2019 Semifinalists

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NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has named nine semifinalists for the 16th annual Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Defensive players are selected for their IMPACT on their team both on and off the field.  IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

A national voter panel will choose the winner for the award that will be presented by Ronnie Lott at the Lott IMPACT Trophy Award Show on December 15th at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. Four finalists will be invited to attend the event.

Joel Klatt, with FOX Sports, will serve as the master of ceremonies and Marcellus Wiley, also with FOX Sports, will be the keynote speaker.

The winner’s university will receive $25,000 for its general scholarship fund while the three runners-up will each receive $5,000 for their schools.

The Nine Semifinalists:

Derrick Brown, Auburn

Cole Christiansen, Army

Jordan Fuller, Ohio State

Brandon Jones, Texas

Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma

Chris Orr, Wisconsin

Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

Curtis Weaver, Boise State

Evan Weaver, Cal

A closer look at the 2019 Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalists:

DERRICK BROWN, Auburn, (7-3), DT, Sr.: Mid-season All-American (First Team) … 325 pounder… 43 tackles, 9 tackles for losses, 4 sacks, 4 passes broken up, 2 forced fumbles and a quarterback hurry… SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week three times in 2019.

Graduates this December… AFCA Good Works Team, Wuerffel Trophy semi-finalist, Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year finalist… SEC Student-Athlete Council.

“He is as well-rounded of a young man that we’ve had at Auburn in the 10 years I have been here.  He’s going to be ultra-successful in life and will be a great leader in whatever he does” – Gus Malzahn, Auburn Head Coach

COLE CHRISTIANSEN, Army (5-6), LB, Sr.: Leads Black Knights with 99 tackles (12th in nation), one sack, two forced fumbles… Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week… Team Captain; 262 career tackles, 19.5 tackles for losses (12 tackles for losses last season, to lead team), and 1.5 sacks.

“I always try to live by these principles.  I always want to be the hardest worker in the room.  I always want to be a person that people can say, “You know what?  That guy is a role model.  He’s an example.  I want to do things like him.  He does things the right way.  He’s not doing it for himself, he’s doing it for everyone around him.’” – Cole Christiansen

Two-time team captain, “The best teams are led from within, not from above.”– Cole Christiansen

JORDAN FULLER, Ohio State (10-0), DB, Sr.: Mid-Season All-American (First Team) … Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week… Second on team with 45 tackles, has two interceptions and has broken up one pass and recovered a fumble.

Academic All-Big Ten; CoSIDA Academic All-American, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Ohio State Student-Athlete three times… Will graduate in December with a 3.8 GPA… Two-time team captain.

“I can honestly say that he is as fine a young man on and off the field as I have ever met” – Ryan Day, Head Coach, Ohio State.

“Jordan has set a standard both on and off the field that is among the finest that I’ve witnessed in my years as a college administrator.” – Gene Smith, Athletic Director, Ohio State

BRANDON JONES, Texas (6-4), DB, Sr.: 70 tackles (leads team), 4.5 for losses, 2 interceptions, fumble recovery, 4 passes broken up… 217 career tackles, 70 tackles in 2018, high school All-American.

Team captain… Semifinalist for Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year (leadership on and off the field) … Participates in team community activities and has established a relationship with a young cancer patient… Physical culture and sports management major

KENNETH MURRAY, Oklahoma (9-1), LB, Jr.: Mid-Season All-American (Second Team) 70 tackles (leads team), 9.5 tackles for losses, 2.5 sacks, 3 passes broken up, 3 quarterback hurries… Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week One and Week Twelve… His 155 tackles led Sooners last season; 12.5 tackles for losses; All Big-12 Second Team; Recorded 28 tackles in win over Army, most in FBS since at least 2000

“Kenneth embodies all of the characteristics that I believe make him worthy of a highly respected award in intercollegiate football, one that honors the student, the athlete and a person who demonstrates his commitment in positive ways.  – Lincoln Riley, Head Coach, Oklahoma

CHRIS ORR, Wisconsin (8-2), LB, Sr.: Mid-Season All-American (Second Team) … Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week…55 tackles (leads team), 11 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 8 quarterback hurries, 2 forced fumbles… 127 career tackles…

Member of DeSoto Youth Advisory Council, Peer Assistance Leadership, DeSoto Night Out, Youth Usher Board, IMPACT Youth Ministry, IMPACT Choir, Season of Service Ministry and Spanish Club… Life sciences communication major, graduated and now working on Masters.

“One of the best leaders I have ever seen. I trust him to be my eyes on the field. He is a tremendous representative of the University of Wisconsin.” — Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin Defensive Coordinator and former Lott Finalist

“He’s a smart, heady player.” – Big Ten Announcer, Matt Millen

ISAIAH SIMMONS, Clemson (11-0), LB, Jr.: Mid-Season All-American… Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week… Leads team with 74 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 12 QB hurries, 3 passes broken up… Led National Champions with 97 tackles last season; 186 career tackles.

Rated No. 8 on USA Today Heisman Watch… Two-time state long jump champion… Sports Communication major.

“Isaiah embodies joy. He is unbelievably committed to being great and that commitment extends to being a great teammate and a great citizen.” – Dabo Swinney, Head Coach, Clemson

“Throughout his student-athlete career at Clemson, Isaiah has prioritized community and campus involvement through participation in several service projects and activities. I have found him to be hard working and engaging.” – Jeff Davis, Associate Athletic Director, Clemson

CURTIS WEAVER, Boise State (9-1), DE, Jr.: Mid-Season All-American… Long Beach (St. Anthony’s) CA.: 6th in country with 16.5 tackles for losses… Two-time All Mountain West selection… 33 career sacks… Broncos’ Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Academic All-Conference… Weighed 296 pounds as a frosh.

“He has a phenomenal heart, he’s extremely engaging. He has a personality that will light up a room… guys can’t wait to mess with him or hang out with him. If you catch him not smiling, something’s up.” – Spencer Danielson, Boise State Defensive End Coach

“That kid amazes me every day, that speaks so much about his character. He’s never going to let anything get him down. He’s going to attack every single play and do what he can to help the team.” – David Moa, Boise State teammate

EVAN WEAVER, Cal (5-5), LB, Sr: Mid-Season All-American…Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week three times…Projected in mid-season as favorite to win the Butkus Trophy…Leads nation with 151 tackles with a high of 22 in one game… His 159 tackles were sixth most in nation last year; Also had 9.5 tackles for losses…Named Second Team All-Pac-12 as a junior.

“Evan’s quality of work in the classroom exceeds all previous athletes the past two decades. He has an exceptional ability to show his knowledge with a level of confidence without attitude.” – Stephen Enter, Cal professor

“He’s a nasty, forceful and instinctive defender who makes plays up the field and in pursuit. I like Weaver’s intensity, football smarts and approach.” – Tony Pauline, Pro Football Network

2019 Lott IMPACT Trophy Players of the Week:

Week One – Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma

Week Two – Evan Weaver, Cal

Week Three – Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

Week Four – Evan Weaver, Cal | Joe Bachie, Michigan State

Week Five – David Woodward, Utah State

Week Six – Jordan Fuller, Ohio State

Week Seven – Chris Orr, Wisconsin

Week Eight – Evan Weaver, Cal

Week Nine – Shaquille Quarterman, Miami

Week Ten – Cole Christiansen, Army

Week Eleven – Rashard Lawrence, LSU

Week Twelve – Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma

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

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