Steelhammer named finalist for Lott IMPACT Trophy
11/30/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has announced the four finalists for the 13th annual Lott IMPACT Trophy brought to you by Mercedes-Benz USA.
The four outstanding student-athletes are Jonathan Allen of Alabama, Adoree' Jackson of USC, Jabrill Peppers of Michigan and Weston Steelhammer of Air Force.
These distinguished young men represent the qualities embodied by Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott - Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
The winner of the 2016 Lott IMPACT Trophy will be announced at The Lott IMPACT Trophy Award Banquet, held at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach on Dec. 11. The award show will be televised live on Fox Sports at 7PM PST, and will be hosted by Fox Sports' Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft.
Fred Dryer, the All-Pro Defensive End for the Los Angeles Rams and the star of the hit TV series "Hunter" will be the keynote speaker.
The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation will make a $25,000 donation to the general scholarship fund of the winner's university and $5,000 to each of the schools of the runner-ups. In 11 years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has now donated more than $1.3 million, including nearly $600,000 to universities throughout the country.
For more on the Lott IMPACT Trophy visit: http://www.lottimpacttrophy.org
2016 Lott IMPACT Trophy Finalists
Jonathan Allen, DL, Alabama
Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
Jabrill Peppers, LB, Michigan
Weston Steelhammer, S, Air Force
Jonathan Allen, DL, Senior, Alabama (12-0)
Has 52 tackles, 11.5 tackles for losses; 7 sacks, 75-yard fumble return for touchdown, 29-yard fumble return for a touchdown, a blocked kick and 13 quarterback hurries; Lott IMPACT Player of the Week, Week 8;Will graduate in December with degree in financial planning; First team mid-season All-American (USA, Pro Football Focus); Projected first round pick.
"There's nothing that Jonathan has been asked to do that he hasn't done to the best of his ability. He is the definition of a student-athlete and possesses the kind of drive and self determination to be the best at whatever he sets his mind to throughout his life" - Nick Saban, Alabama Coach
"He's a quality, quality kid. Represents his family and his school with great class. He's a perfect candidate for your award. I love covering kids like that" - Aaron Suttles, Tuscaloosa News (Alabama beat reporter).
Adoree' Jackson, CB, Junior, USC (9-3)
Three-time Lott IMPACT Player of the Week, Week 7, Week 11, Week 13; 3rd in nation in punt returns with 15.9 average; 6th in nation in kick returns with 30.5 yard average; has scored touchdowns on offense, defense, returning a punt and returning a kick; 51 tackles this season, 4 interceptions, 973 total yards in punt and kick returns with four touchdowns; 52-yard touchdown reception (one of three touchdowns in the game) against Notre Dame. Projected first or second round pick; 2nd team mid-season All-American (SI).
"He is the most humble, flamboyant kid I have ever seen." - Scott Attenberg high school football coach
"He's one of the most football-smart guys I've ever been associated with. So instinctive. It literally takes a walk-through meeting and he's ready to go." Clay Helton, USC Head Coach
Jabrill Peppers, LB, Junior, Michigan (10-2)
Lott Impact Trophy Player of the Week twice, Week 3. Week 9; Versatile athlete who returns kicks and punts while starting on defense and playing some running back (two touchdowns vs. Rutgers, one vs. Michigan State); Averages 17.3 yards per punt return, 3rd in the nation; Has 70 tackles, 16 tackles for losses, 7 quarterback hurries; Has accounted for over 700 total yards this season; First team mid-season All-American (SI, USA, ESPN, Pro Football Focus); Projected first round pick.
"Jim Thorpe. It just came to me. Only player I can think to compare Jabrill to." -- Jim Harbaugh, Michigan Head Coach
"Jabrill strives to do the right thing and works really had for what he has accomplished and for what he hopes to accomplish in the future. His work ethic never stops and he is very team oriented. He doesn't let people down on or off the field" - Chris Partridge, Michigan Linebacker Coach.
Weston Steelhammer, S, Senior, Air Force (9-3)
Two-time Lott Player of the Week; Has 75 tackles, 6 interceptions, 4 pass breakups; 17 interceptions in career, most among active players; National honor society in high school, cadet cadre survival training in 2015; Has a 3.14 GPA; volunteered for fire cleanup in Colorado; Team captain; Senior CLASS nominee; All-Mountain West first team selection last three years.
"Weston is a great person, a tremendous human being and a tremendous football player. Great awareness and instincts. Always respectful. Classy. Confident. Kind. Not one selfish bone in his body. -- Troy Calhoun, Air Force Head Coach
Previous Winners of the Lott IMPACT Trophy
2004 - David Pollack, Georgia
2005 - DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 - Dante Hughes, Cal
2007 - Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
2009 - Jerry Hughes, TCU
2010 - J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
2011- Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2012 - Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
2013 - Anthony Barr, UCLA
2014 - Eric Kendricks, UCLA
2015 - Carl Nassib, Penn State
Named after College and Pro Football Hall of Fame member, Ronnie Lott, The Lott IMPACT Trophy is awarded to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. The Lott Trophy is given to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and a distinguished group of former college football head coaches. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $1.2 million to various charities throughout the country. The 13th annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held Dec. 11th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. For more information on The Lott Trophy visit: www.LottImpactTrophy.org.
