Lott IMPACT Trophy

by Ian massey 

   Alabama is 8-0 and rolling.

            The success of the 2011 Crimson Tide is in large part due to a defense that is ranked No. 1 in the country, allowing just seven points a game. And at the heart of that defense is linebacker Dont’a Hightower, a 260-pound force.

But for Hightower, a Lott IMPACT Trophy candidate and a highly regarded NFL draft prospect, a national championship would be the cherry on top of a bittersweet Thursday in January 2010.

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Alabama Linebacker Dont’a Hightower  has been named the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week.

A 6-4, 250-pound junior from Lewisburg, Tennessee, Hightower had an overpowering game on Saturday, recording seven tackles, one sack and three quarterback hurries plus being credited with breaking up two passes while adding an interception with a 29-yard return.

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – John Simon, Ohio State’s big-motored defensive lineman, has been named the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week.

A 6-2, 270-pound junior from Youngstown, Simon recorded four tackles for loss, including two sacks, and eight total tackles as the Buckeyes upended previously unbeaten Illinois, 17-7. 

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Nebraska Linebacker Lavonte David has been named the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week.

David was credited with a team high (and career best) 13 tackles (one for a loss), a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry in the Cornhuskers’ 34-27 come from behind win over Ohio State Saturday.  It was David’s forced fumble and subsequent recovery that changed the game.  Ohio State was leading, 27-6, and driving when David caused the fumble and jumped on it.  Three plays later, Nebraska scored and the comeback was on.

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – USC Safety T.J. McDonald has been named the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week.

McDonald, a 6-3, 205-pound junior from Fresno, intercepted two passes, had six tackles and recovered an on-side kick late in the game to seal the Trojans’ 48-41 win over Arizona. 

In recognition of McDonald’s performance, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, sponsors of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, will make a $1,000 donation to the general scholarship fund at USC

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. – Oklahoma State Cornerback Brodrick Brown has been named the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week.

Brown, a 5-8, 185-pound junior from Houston, had eight tackles, two passes broken up and an interception as the Cowboys remained undefeated by coming from behind and beating Texas A&M, 30-29. 

NEWPORT BEACH, Ca. -- Stanford linebacker Shayne Skov has been named the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week.

Skov, a 6-3, 243-pound junior from Piedmont, Ca., led the Cardinal with 11 tackles, including 1.5 sacks and one other tackle for loss along with a pass breakup in Stanford's 44-14 win over Duke Saturday.