UT's Berry on Lott watch list

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry is among 42 of the nation’s top collegiate defensive players who have been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy Watch List, it was announced Friday.

Berry, a 5-11, 195-pound sophomore from Fairburn, Ga., led SEC freshmen in tackles last season with 86 and added a team-high five interceptions for 222 return yards. That return total was a school record and the second highest figure in SEC history.

There are seven repeat nominees for the award, including James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, a finalist last year. The other players nominated for a second straight year are Jonathan Casillas of Wisconsin, Maurice Crum Jr. of Notre Dame, Brian Cushing of Southern California, Zack Follett of California, Nic Harris of Oklahoma and Darryl Richard of Georgia Tech.

Thirty-five schools are represented on the Watch List.

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 fourth year, the Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisers comprised of many retired NFL players and Master Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.

The winner is announced at a banquet in Newport Beach, Calif., on Dec. 14, 2008.

The 2008 Lott Trophy Watch List: Asher Allen, Georgia; Ted Bentler, Army; ERIC BERRY, TENNESSEEE; Russell Brorsen, Kansas; Reggie Carter, UCLA; Jonathan Casillas, Wisconsin; Maurice Crum Jr., Notre Dame;

Aaron Curry, Wake Forest; Brian Cushing, Southern California; Zack Follett, California; Courtney Greene, Rutgers; Nic Harris, Oklahoma; Mark Herzlich, Boston College; Brandon Hughes, Oregon State; George Hypolite, Colorado; Jeremy Jarmon, Kentucky; Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State; Jan Jorgensen, Brigham Young; Mitch King, Iowa; John Larson, Kansas; James Laurinaitis, Ohio State; Taylor Mays, Southern California; Tyrone McKenzie, South Florida; Bo McNally, Stanford; Greg Middleton, Indiana; Scott Mikillop, Pittsburgh; Brit Miller, Illinois; William Moore, Missouri; Troy Nolan, Arizona State; Eric Norwood, South Carolina; Brian Orakpo, Texas; Jeff Owens, Georgia; Kirston Pittman, LSU; Zach Potter, Nebraska; Nick Reed, Oregon; Darryl Richard, Georgia Tech; Myron Rolle, Florida State; George Selvie, South Florida; Brandon Spikes, Florida; Alterraun Verner, UCLA; Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri; Reed Williams, West Virginia.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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