Jackson on Pared Down Lott List
11/9/2005 7:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 9, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Senior Maryland linebacker D'Qwell Jackson has been named a semifinalist for the second annual Lott Trophy, presented by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, Ca.
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.
"D'Qwell Jackson is a heck of a football player," said head coach Ralph Friedgen, "but he's a better person and leader than he is a football player, and that's a large statement. We're a better program because D'Qwell came here."
The other semi-finalists are Ohio State Linebacker A.J. Hawk, Kentucky Cornerback Antoine Huffman, Notre Dame Linebacker Brandon Hoyte, 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.
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).
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.
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.
