Tennessee’s Eric Berry is one of 20 defensive players to earn a spot on the Lott Trophy quarterfinalist list, it was announced Wednesday.
Each of the 20 players have performed at a high level on the football field and exhibited selfless character off the field.
Berry, a sophomore, has five interceptions and has broken the SEC career record for interception return yards (397).
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 fifth year, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.
“This is another impressive list of candidates,” said Bob Cristiano, the President of the IMPACT Foundation, the sponsors of the award. “They represent the best in college football and a great cross-section of our country. It will be difficult to single out just one of these outstanding student-athletes.”
Seven different conferences are represented on the list of 20, with the SEC’s five candidates leading the way. Ohio State (James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins) is the only school with two quarterfinalists. There are nine linebackers on the list, seven defensive linemen and four defensive backs. While there are 10 seniors on the list, there are also nine juniors (and one sophomore, Berry), the most underclassmen to make the quarter-finalist Lott Trophy Watch List.
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, DeMeco Ryans of Alabama, Dante Hughes of California and Glenn Dorsey of LSU were the winners of the first four Lott Trophies. Georgia, Alabama, Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds. In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated $450,000 to various charities, in addition to the 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 Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches. The watch list will be trimmed to eight semifinalists on Nov. 11 and the four finalists, who all will be flown into California for the banquet, will be announced Nov. 26.
The winner will be announced at a gala black-tie banquet at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach on Dec. 14. The keynote speaker for the sold-out banquet will be long-time college football announcer Keith Jackson.
The 20 Quarterfinalists: Asher Allen, Jr., DB, Georgia; ERIC BERRY, SO., DB, TENNESSEE; Aaron Curry, Sr., LB, Wake Forest; Brian Cushing, Sr., LB, Southern California; Zack Follett, Sr., LB, California; Mark Herzlich, Jr., LB, Boston College; George Hypolite, Sr., DT, Colorado; Jeremy Jarmon, Jr., DL, Kentucky; Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., DB, Ohio State; Jan Jorgensen, Jr., DE, Brigham Young; James Laurinaitis, Sr., LB, Ohio State; Scott McKillop, Sr., LB, Pittsburgh; Brit Miller, Sr., LB, Illinois; Eric Norwood, Jr., LB, South Carolina; Brian Orakpo, Sr., DE, Texas; Nick Reed, Sr., DE, Oregon; Myron Rolle, Jr., S, Florida State; George Selvie, Jr., DE, South Florida; Brandon Spikes, Jr., LB, Florida; Sean Weatherspoon, Jr., LB, Missouri.
For more information on the Lott Trophy, go to: thelotttrophy.com.
Contact: Pete Donovan, Media Relations, The Lott Trophy, 76348 Sweet Pea Way, Palm Desert, CA 92211, Plays4pars@aol.com, 760/360-0414.
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Comments » 60
utvolz#637682 writes:
Good luck Eric! You're about the only shining star on this years' football campaign!
jasonn1970 writes:
It's telling that EB is the only soph on the list.
ORANGEASIAN writes:
How about the Thorpe Award?
mattlock writes:
Eric Berry is a cruise missle, plain and simple.
rockytop4ever writes:
His name should be at the top on every list possible. He is one of the best defensive players I have ever been fortunate enough to watch play here at UT. Keep doing your thing EB! Go Vols!
tnbigg writes:
Congratulations Eric! The truth? You should also be a Heisman candidate!
rusty_shackleford writes:
Watch the tape!
rabidvol1998 writes:
Country - not sure of your point, but why don't you give us a list of your awards and achievements. Don't be humble, let them all fly.
murrayvol writes:
Berry should be a finalist for the award. Thus far he's been exceptional and for him to have a chance that level of play must continue. No margin for drop off when your team's season is tanking.
SemperVol writes:
He's played lights out. He is a cruise missile as someone said up above. One man can't do it all, but he plays like two. Take a look at the article, this is an individual award. No team. Yea, our team does suck right now but he's downright the best there is right now.
Your introduction should read "To coaches...."
Go pick on somebody else, you've got no argument here. Adios, busta!
SemperVol writes:
Country,
I have a feeling you are about to get railed on here...I'd go stick my Ostrich head in some sand if I were you. Fair warning.
LostinNCVol writes:
Who is your team? Why are you here? A post like that only proves your an idiot! I don't post much because I know how I feel. I like to guage how others in the Vol Nation feel. But your ignorance has compelled me to respond.
mempuss writes:
"what WAS the the scores against florida?" err....Nuff said You Alabubba Trash!
mempuss writes:
Congratulations Eric Berry! Regardless of the award outcome...... You sir are officially the MAN!
Tenn_Dawg writes:
EB is simply amazing. Talent like his only comes around every so often. I still wish he would have become a Dawg but nonetheless I'm still proud of his accomplishments. He will be a great NFL player.
LostinNCVol writes:
Congrats Eric! You are truly an inspiration in a bad situation. I only hope you stay long enough for our new coach to turn things around and allow you to play for a winner! If you come out this year you would be a high 1st rounder. Resist the money and stay. Get your degree in Dentistry then go pro, your talent will still be there!
hotrodvol writes:
Some people just like to stir the pot, can't you even say something good about one of the best players in the country?
auttat writes:
Eric Berry cannot turn pro this year. I repeat, Eric Berry CANNOT TURN PRO THIS YEAR!!
Thank you!
djstatik writes:
Congrats Eric Berry. The only player on UT player whose name can be said in the same breath as Al Wilson and Reggie White.
dirtdobber1 writes:
F the Lott trophy...What about the Heisman Trophy!
Nicolevol writes:
What is your point?
auttat writes:
Anybody catch Sportscenter Saturday morning and the anchor say, "...that was a return that would make Eric Berry jealous"?
dirtdobber1 writes:
Country410-
UL of Monroe
TotalPackage1 writes:
Country410...you failed to bring up the scores of his Pee Wee and Mighty Mite Championship games where he was totally abused on two long bombs that cost him the league MVP as well as his teams the Championships.
VolinCalif writes:
Hey Guy's
You can easily seen the IQ of the source of that poster. Let the stupid S### sit and scan for a response. Don't give him any satisfaction for his efforts. If he were out in a field you could teach him some manners but that just isn't to be. Pi@@ on him.
VolinCalif writes:
Terry is very good coach, he knows footfall as good as anyone and you don't hear very much about him now days. Could be a very good pick.
Moaninglikeheck writes:
OMG, I have read this site for two years now and have read many, many truly ignorant postings. I've read a good number of postings designed to get a rise and have fashioned a few of my own.
Whichever category this one fits, ignorant or inciteful, this poster has lost all credibility and gets the "Most Ridiculous Post" award. Enjoy it brotha, you earned it.
CoverOrange writes:
Why would Auburn be interested in Bowden? Didn't they chase him off once before?
VolinCalif writes:
I don't think Auburn ran him off, He couldn't stand the ridicule and left on his own. I think that lose to Tenn was his last straw. I still remember his look on the side line during that game. But none the less he was a darn good coach.
khelton657 writes:
Yep, "heat seeker"...
CoverOrange writes:
From what I've read, he resigned before he could be fired. He also hasn't coached any since leaving Auburn 10 years ago.
LostinNCVol writes:
Take your blood presure meds. and maybe a valium. I forgot about the Clarret rule, sue me. I was only expressing my desire to keep him as long as possible. YOUR WIFE MUST NOT LET YOU BE RIGHT MUCH!!
BLUETREESforTN writes:
without a doubt eric berry is one the best that has come through the T and congrats to you sir!!
LostinNCVol writes:
Terry Bowden is not a good choice. Some hot shot young guy or an esablished winner.
VolinCalif writes:
Who's wife does?
VolinCalif writes:
I do agree. He was in trouble at Auburn. But none the less he wasn't given much time to get things right for them. They wanted a NC the first year as I remember
LostinNCVol writes:
I still believe he's not the man for the job. I like Butch Davis but heard him say he played to conservative on offense and defense in the Virginia loss, I think that was the game, sounds all to familiar to me.
auttat writes:
HAHA! I was just kiddin a little bro!!
Too many people think that. You are not the only one
VolinCalif writes:
Butch could do the job. But I'm not sure we will have a new coach next year. CPF is not really in bad standings record wise so what the AD will do is up in the air, I think. I don't have a very clear crystal ball at this time, or my glasses are covered with tears. But things will play out one way or the other and we could do worse than Butch.
ncvol writes:
If it was up to the fans at UT Eric Berry would be the winner of the Lott Trophy. Thanks for all the hard work and great performance. Go Vols !
GahLee writes:
For as long as I've watched football, I have never seen a player like Eric Berry...the guy is unreal and to think that he is just a sophomore is astounding really. Enjoy him here while it lasts, he will surely go pro after his junior season, can't say that I blame him, by that time he will be a 10 ten pick.
orangeinbama writes:
Eric Berry will be a legend in Tenn football & all of college football before he leaves. I can see the heistman trophy for him, but not till his senior year. He will be the next great safety in the NFL. Someday there will be a Berry award. Yes, he is in Ronnie Lott's class, and maybe even surpass Lott as the greatest safety ever. On a side note, Even EDSBS (Gator) website has nothing but praise for Eric. (Actually EDSBS is a really cool & entertaining site......)
TotalPackage1 writes:
If you were alluding to Country410, agreed. Please keep in mind that this is the person that will be the recepient of Obama's "Spreading the Wealth" program.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
my girlfriend is in love with Berry, simply because of the way he carries himself on the field. There is not a down that he isnt going 100%. Regardless of what the score is, how the rest of the team is playing, he is out there on the field giving his all and leading by example.
A true gold mine of talent and character. If only more would follow suit.
LostinNCVol writes:
I am not currently employed in the AD's office so I don't know with 100% certainty that CPF will not be here. I do know that financialy the severe drop in attendance can't be tolerated. After sitting through one year with this lost revenue MH can't take the chance that it happens again next year or the year after. We have not been successful in 10 years it is time. I agree about Butch He is my first choice.
jessiedee1#639632 writes:
When Eric Berry jumps into a lake, Eric Berry doesn't get wet, the lake gets Eric Berried.
TNisPeerless writes:
Water covers 70% of the earth's surface and Berry covers the rest.
VolinCalif writes:
Yes I should have watched my subject more closely. I've been through this Spreading the Wealth thing several times and it always ends up costing the Sh@@ out of me. Sorry I just got back and didn't respond very soon
dcvolfan98 writes:
Eric Berry is the one player on the team who absolutely HAS to be accounted for by opposing coaches. With that said, they still cannot stop him. He has the heart of a champion, even if the supporting cast isn't there yet. He deserves recognition somehow, someway.
VolinCalif writes:
Yes he does. If he got a little more Off. snaps then the Heisman could be in order. Why not? It happened at Mich.
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