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Weddle Named to Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist List
10/25/2006 12:00 AM | Football
Oct. 25, 2006
NEWPORT BEACH, CA. - Eric Weddle, Utah's outstanding senior defensive back, is one of seventeen college seniors, named a quarterfinalist 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 college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.
"This is an impressive list of players," 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."
Weddle, from Alta Loma, Ca., was the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year last season. He has six interceptions this season (5th in the country), 34 tackles and two fumble recoveries. He's scored four times, including three in one game against San Diego State.
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 quarter-finalists. 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.
Players Mentioned
DB
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