For the 12th consecutive year, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has announced a stellar class of 42 college student-athlete nominees for the annual Lott IMPACT Trophy, named after former collegiate and professional defensive standout Ronnie Lott.

 

“I am equally proud of the fact that we have raised so much money for a variety of charities, including universities, and the fact that the players we have honored over these past 11 years have made significant impacts in their communities as well as on the field in the NFL,” said Ronnie Lott, the Hall of Famer whose name graces the award. 

 

To date, the Foundation has donated $1,147,160 to charitable organizations and universities . 

 

The breakdown of the 2015 Watch List: 10 defensive linemen; 16 linebackers; 16 defensive backs.  By conference: Big Ten, 10; Pac-12, 8; Big-12, 7; ACC, 7; SEC 5; Mountain West, 1; Independents, 4.  

 

There are also six players on the Watch List from a year ago – Kelby Brown of Duke, Shilique Calhoun of Michigan State, Vernon Hargreaves of Florida, Karl Joseph of West Virginia, Jaylon Smith of Notre Dame and Eric Striker of Oklahoma. 

 

The criteria for selecting student-athletes for the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List and subsequently the finalists and eventually the overall winner, is based on both athletic ability and character attributes. 

 

Character transcends the on-the-field accomplishments of the players.  The acronym for IMPACT is Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. 

 

The nominees are considered for their academic standing at their university, their community contributions, their leadership skills and their overall character. 

 

Past winners of the Lott IMPACT Trophy have exhibited these characteristics, ones that were and are displayed by Ronnie Lott and embraced by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, founders and sponsors of the event. 

 

The 12th annual Lott IMPACT Trophy Award Banquet will be held Dec. 13 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Ca. 

  

The 2015 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List 

 

KEVIN ANDERSON, LB, Stanford (6-4, 245, Palo Alto): Pac-12 honorable mention in first year as a starter last season…Had 52 tackles, 11.5 tackles for losses and 5.5 sacks…Had an interception return for a 40-yard touchdown in 2013 Rose Bowl against Michigan. 

 

DANTE BARNETT, S, Kansas State (6-1, 186, Tulsa): All-Big 12 performer…Had 77 tackles last year with 11 passes defended…7 career interceptions…Commissioner’s Honor Roll…Heavy volunteer work at schools and senior centers. 

 

JOE BOLDEN, LB, Michigan (6-3, 232, Cincinnati): Michigan Athlete Academic Achievement Awards recipient…2nd on team with 102 tackles as a junior. 

 

BRIEAN BOODY-CALHOUN, DB, Minnesota (5-11, 190, Wilmington, Delaware): Won both All-Big Ten recognition and All-Big Ten academic recognition…Had 5 interceptions and 51 tackles last season.  

 

JOEY BOSA, DE, Ohio State (6-6, 278, Ft. Lauderdale): Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year…Only unanimous selection on All-Big Ten team…and unanimous All-American...Led Buckeyes with 21 tackles for losses, 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles…Recorded 55 tackles for National Champions…Ohio State scholar-athlete..Strong candidate to be No. 1 overall draft pick next year. 

 

KELBY BROWN, LB, Duke (6-2, 230, Matthews, North Carolina): Sixth year player…Has had three ACL surgeries (2010, 2012, 2014)…Missed last season with the injury…Had 114 tackles in 2013 and was an All-ACC choice…Also an academic All-ACC selection…Frosh All-American…Grad student pursuing a degree in Christian studies. 

 

DeFOREST BUCKNER, DE, Oregon (6-7, 290, Waianae, Hawaii): Led Ducks in tackles for losses (13).  Had 81 tackles, 4 sacks…Named 2nd team All-Pac 12…High school basketball star. 

 

MICHAEL CAPUTO, S, Wisconsin (6-1, 212, Imperial, Pa.): Led team in tackles with 106…Had six tackles for losses, recovered four fumbles…All-Big Ten honorable mention…Coaches basketball in Special Olympics, member of JROTC Marines, DARE Instructor. 

 

SHILIQUE CALHOUN, DE, Michigan State (6-3, 256, Middleton, NJ): Repeat nominee... Had 12.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, 39 tackles, eight quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery for 38 yards.  

 

JEREMY CASH, S, Duke (6-2, 205, Miami): All-ACC and All-American…Had 111 tackles last season, 121 as a sophomore…Psychology major with a minor in evolutionary anthropology. 

 

SU’A CRAVENS, S, USC (6-1, 225, Los Angeles): Led Trojans with 17.5 tackles for loss (among top 25 in the nation)…Had 68 tackles, five sacks and three interceptions…Defended 12 passes…First team All-Pac-12 selection…Named top high school defensive player of the year in 2012 at Vista Murietta High. 

 

LEONARD FLOYD, LB, Georgia (6-4, 230, Eastman, Georgia): Defensive team MVP last season when he had 55 tackles, 8.5 tackles for losses and 6 sacks, which led the team…Honorable mention All-SEC.  

 

KENDALL FULLER, CB, Virginia Tech (6-0, 190, Baltimore): Named 2nd team All-American last season…All-ACC first team…Had 54 tackles, 4.5 tackles for losses and broke up 15 passes…Frosh All-American… 

 

NATE GERRY, DB, Nebraska (6-2, 205, Sioux Falls, SD): Had five interceptions (most on the team), 88 tackles (2nd on team), 7 tackles for losses and two fumble recoveries…Honorable mention All-Big Ten. 

 

ADAM GOTSIS, DL, Georgia Tech (6-5, 285, Abbotsford, Australia): 2nd team All-ACC…36 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, two blocked kicks…On dean’s list and academic honor roll.  

 

DEON HOLLINS, LB, UCLA (6-0, 225, Houston): Led Bruins with nine sacks last year…Had 3 sacks in bowl win over Kansas State…Named Most Improved Bruin…On Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.  

 

DYLAN HAINES, S, Texas (6-1, 194, Lago Vista, Texas): Two-time Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll…Academic All-Big 12…Had 86 tackles last season, 4 interceptions (one for a 74-yard touchdown return)…Honorable mention All-Big 12. 

 

VERNON HARGREAVES, CB, Florida (5-11, 195, Tampa):  Was named All-SEC first team as both a freshman and sophomore (unanimous)…On three All-America teams last year…Had 50 tackles and three interceptions in 2014…Broke up 13 passes…SEC Academic Honor Roll…Father is the linebacker coach at Houston. 

 

RYAN JANVION, S, Wake Forest (5-11, 190, Miami): Led team in tackles last season with 115…Had 7.5 tackles for loss... Academic All-District with a 3.65 GPA, majoring in business…Did PSA public service commercial for United Way…Redshirt junior.  

 

JONATHAN JONES, CB, Auburn (5-10, 182, Carroliton, Georgia);  Second team All-SEC who led team with six interceptions last season…Had 36 total tackles and broke up team best 11 passes.  

 

KARL JOSEPH, S, West Virginia (5-11, 196, Orlando): Team captain who was a Lott nominee last year...  His 92 tackles were second on the team last season…Has started every game in his career, 38 total...Academic honor roll student.  

 

BRONSON KAUFUSI, LB, BYU (6-7, 265, Provo): Led Cougars in tackles for loss (11.5), sacks (7) and quarterback hurries (7)…Named All-Independent team and was twice Independent Defensive Player of the Week…Father Steve is the Defensive Line Coach at BYU. 

 

DERRICK KINDRED, S, TCU (5-10, 210, San Antonio):  All-Big 12 selection.  Recorded 79 tackles and had 4 interceptions.  

 

JORDAN LOMAX, S, Iowa (5-10, 205, Upper Marlboro, Maryland): Two-time Academic All-Big Ten…GPA is 3.52, majoring in economics…Had a 4.0 GPA in high school…On Iowa Leadership Group…Won team hustle award for defense and special teams in 2014 when he recorded 92 total tackles. 

 

DEAN LOWRY, DE, Northwestern (6-6, 280, Rockford, Illinois): Academic All-Big Ten…Honorable Mention All-Big Ten as a junior when he had 41 tackles and 8 tackles for losses…High school scholar-athlete who was recognized for excellence in business law and marketing 

 

BLAKE MARTINEZ, LB, Stanford (6-2, 247, Tucson): Honorable mention All-Pac 12…Honorable mention Pac-12 All-Academic…Led team with 102 tackles last season…Had seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks. 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles. 

 

LAUI MOEAKIOLA, LB, Arizona State (6-1, 215, Euless, Texas): Honorable mention All-Pac 12…Recorded 72 tackles with 10.5 tackles for losses and five quarterback sacks. 

 

CALVIN MUNSON, LB, San Diego State (6-1, 235, St. Charles, Mo.): Aztecs’ Defensive Player of the Year last season as a sophomore when he had 78 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss…Honorable mention All-Mountain West…He had 193 tackles his senior year in high school when he was named Missouri Defensive Player of the Year. 

 

ROBERT NKEMDICHE, DE, Ole Miss (6-4, 280, Loganville, Georgia): All-American, All-SEC.  Anchored defense that led Rebels to best regular season record in school history.  Frosh All-American, too.  

 

JARED NORRIS, LB, Utah (6-2, 237, Bakersfield): Led team with 116 tackles last season…Had 13 tackles for losses, 4 sacks…Honorable mention All-Pac 12…Honorable mention Academic-All Conference 

 

SHAWN OAKMAN, DE, Baylor (6-9, 280, Lansdowne, Pa.): All-American who had 19.5 tackles for loss (10th in the country) and 11 sacks…Forced 3 fumbles and recovered 3 fumbles…Total of 51 tackles…Two-time All-Big 12 selection…Penn State transfer…Tallest player ever on Lott Watch List.  

 

EMMANUEL OGBAH, DE, Oklahoma State (6-4, 270, Houston): Nigerian born led team with 17 tackles for losses and 11 sacks…49 total tackles…first team All-Big 12 performer…2nd team Academic All-Big 12. 

 

JOSHUA PERRY, LB, Ohio State (6-4, 252, Galena, Ohio): His 124 tackles led National Champion Ohio State by 32 tackles…Had 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks…2nd team All-Big Ten…Ohio State Scholar-Athlete…Interned at Continental Realty last year. 

 

REGGIE RAGLAND, LB, Alabama (6-2, 254, Madison, Alabama): All SEC selection as a junior…2nd on the team with 95 tackles…Had 10.5 tackles for loss, 3 fumble recoveries. 

 

JALEN RAMSEY, CB, Florida State (6-1, 204, Smyrna, Tennessee): 2nd team All-American last year…Had 79 tackles, 9.5 tackles for losses…broke up 12 passes and was credited with 14 passes defended, both team best…Finished 3rd in ACC long jump (25 feet) and was a member of sprint relay team. 

 

SHELDON RANKINS, DT, Louisville (6-2, 305, Covington, Georgia): Led team with 13.5 tackles for losses and 8 sacks…Had 53 total tackles…Also had two interceptions as a defensive tackle…Named 3rd team All-ACC. 

 

JAYLON SMITH, LB, Notre Dame (6-3, 235, Ft. Wayne, Indiana): His 112 tackles and nine tackles for loss led the Irish.  On Lott Watch list last season. 

 

WESTON STEELHAMMER, S, Air Force Academy (6-2, 200, Shreveport, Louisiana): National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete in high school…Led team with six interceptions last season…Recovered two fumbles, had 61 tackles and six tackles for losses. 

 

ERIC STRIKER, LB, Oklahoma (6-0, 225, Seffner, Fl.): Two-time all-conference selection…3rd team All-American last year…On Lott Trophy Watch List a year ago…Had 17 tackles for loss (among top 25 in nation), 9 sacks and 68 total tackles in 2014…For his career, he has 124 tackles and 27.5 tackles for losses. 

 

JEREMY TIMPF, LB, Army (6-1, 225, Tucson): Had 117 tackles to lead the Black Knights…Also had team best 14.5 tackles for losses…Returned one of his three interceptions for a touchdown…Was named first-team All-Independent and twice was Independent Defensive Player of the Week. 

 

SCOOBY WRIGHT III, LB, Arizona (6-1, 246, Windsor, Ca.): Led the nation in tackles for loss (29) and total tackles (163)… Also had 14 sacks…Named Pat Tillman Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. 

 

ANTHONY ZETTEL, DT, Penn State (6-4, 274, West Branch, Michigan): All-Big Ten selection…Led team with 17 tackles for losses and eight quarterback sacks…Had 42 total tackles, three interceptions and five passes defended.