One of the annual rites of the summer offseason kicked off Monday with the release of the year's first college football award watch list, this one for the ninth annual Lott IMPACT Trophy. From the official Lott IMPACT Trophy site description, the Lott IMPACT Trophy "recognizes college football's Defensive Player of the Year who best exemplifies Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity."
The watch list includes "forty-two of the most accomplished student-athletes in the country," according to a statement. Their full bios are available on the trophy home page.
“Each year we are proud to present a list of college football players who exemplify the things we believe in,” said Ronnie Lott, the San Francisco 49ers legend for whom the trophy is named. “This group is no exception. These young men are terrific players and great role models, both on and off the field.”
The 2011 award was won by Boston College's Luke Kuechly. Among the 2012 watch list members are 2011 finalist Manti Te'o, the Notre Dame linebacker, as well as Ohio State defensive tackle John Simon and State" data-canon="Oklahoma Sooners" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0"> corner Brodrick Brown, 2011 semifinalists.
The full list of 2012 nominees is as follows:
David Amerson, State" data-canon="North Carolina Tar Heels" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0">, CB, 6-3, 194 (Greensboro, NC)
Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State, CB, 6-2, 185 (Maben, Mississippi)
Chris Borland, Wisconsin, LB, 5-11, 245 (Kettering, Ohio)
John Boyett, Oregon, S, 5-10, 202 (Napa, Ca.)
Arthur Brown, Kansas State, LB, 6-1, 223 (Wichita)
Brodrick Brown, Oklahoma State, CB, 5-8, 188 (Houston)
Jonathan Brown, Illinois, LB, 6-1, 235 (Memphis)
Max Bullough, State" data-canon="Michigan Wolverines" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0">, LB, 6-3, 245 (Traverse City, Michigan)
Tra’ves Bush , Navy, S, 5-10, 192 (Johnston, South Carolina)
Kyle Fuller, Tech" data-canon="Virginia Cavaliers" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_TEAM" id="shortcode0">, CB, 6-0, 187 (Baltimore)
Steve Greer, Virginia, LB, 6-2, 225 (Solon, Ohio)
Gerald Hodges, Penn State, LB, 6-2, 234 (Paulsboro, NJ)
DeMontre Hurst, Oklahoma, DB, 5-10, 181 (Lancaster, Tx.)
Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas, DE 6-5, 250, (Plano, Texas)
Brandon Jenkins, Florida State, DE, 6-3, 265 (Tallahassee)
Jarvis Jones, Georgia, LB, 6-3, 240 (Columbus, Ga.)
A.J. Klein, Iowa State, LB, 6-2, 244 (Kimberly, Wisconsin)
Jake Knott, Iowa State, LB, 6-3, 239 (Waukee, Iowa)
Jordan Kovacs, Michigan, S, 6-0, 195 (Curtice, Ohio)
Patrick Larimore, UCLA, LB, 6-3, 253 (Santa Clarita, Ca.)
Star Lotulelei, Utah, DT, 6-4, 325 (South Jordan, Utah)
Brandon Magee, Arizona State, LB, 5-11, 230 (Corona, Ca.)
T.J. McDonald, USC, S, 6-3, 205 (Fresno)
Sam Montgomery, LSU, DE, 6-4, 245 (Greenwood, South Carolina)
Brandon Ogletree, BYU, LB, 5-11, 228 (McKinney, Texas)
Alex Okafor, Texas, DE, 6-5, 260 (Pflugerville, Texas)
J.C. Percy, Boise State, LB, 6-0, 221 (Blackfoot, Idaho)
Ray Polk, Colorado, S, 6-1, 205 (Scottsdale, Az.)
Jordan Poyer, Oregon State, CB, 6-0, 190 (Astoria, Oregon)
Kevin Reddick, North Carolina, LB, 6-3, 240 (New Bern, North Carolina)
Eric Reid, LSU, S, 6-2, 208 (Geismar, La.)
Luke Ruff, Wyoming, S, 5-11, 195 (Castle Rock, Colorado)
Kawaan Short , Purdue, DT, 6-3, 310 (E. Chicago, Indiana)
John Simon, Ohio State, DT, 6-2, 270 (Youngstown)
Baker Steinkuhler, Nebraska, DT, 6-6, 290 (Lincoln)
Mike Taylor, Wisconsin, LB, 6-2, 230 (Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin)
Manti Te’o, Notre Dame, LB, 6-2, 255 (Laie, Hawaii)
Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford, 6-4, 239 (Marietta, Georgia)
Joe Vellano, Maryland, DT, 6-1, 285 (Rexford, NY)
Zach Watts, Army, LB, 5-11, 207 (Pittsburgh)
Bjoern Werner, Florida State, DE, 6-4, 273 (Berlin)
Jesse Williams, Alabama, DT, 6-4, 319 (Brisbane, Australia)