May 7, 2012

UCLA senior linebacker Patrick Larimore was named today to the Watch List for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year in college football. IMPACT is an acronym for: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. The award, which equally recognizes the personal character of the winning player as well as his athletic excellence, is presented in December in Newport Beach,CA.

"Each year we are proud to present a list of college football players who exemplify the things we believe in," said Ronnie Lott. "This group is no exception. These young men are terrific players and great role models, both on and off the field."

The 2012 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List includes 2011 finalist Manti Te'o of Notre Dame. Semi-finalists John Simon of Ohio State and Brodrick Brown of Oklahoma State are also on the list.There are 18 linebackers, 13 defensive backs and 11 defensive linemen on the list.

Voting for the Lott IMPACT Trophy will take place throughout the season with the winner announced at the annual black-tie awards banquet Dec. 9 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach.

UCLA opens the 2012 football season at Rice on August 30. The first home game for the Bruins is against Nebraska on September 8.

A look at the candidates:

David Amerson, North Carolina State, CB... Led the nation with 13 interceptions.

Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State, CB ...Semi-finalist for Thorpe Award.

Chris Borland, Wisconsin, LB..Consensus All-Big Ten pick.

John Boyett, Oregon, S... Fourth in Pac-12 in tackles.

Arthur Brown, Kansas State, LB... Big-12 Newcomer of the Year.

Brodrick Brown, Oklahoma State, CB..Semi-finalist for Lott and Thorpe Trophy in 2011.

Jonathan Brown, Illinois, LB...Led team with 108 tackles and 19.5 TFLs.

Max Bullough, Michigan State, LB...Led team in tackles with 89.

Tra'ves Bush, Navy, S...Led Midshipmen with 61 solo tackles last season.

Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech, CB...Recorded team best 14.5 tackles for loss.

Steve Greer, Virginia, LB...Led team with 103 tackles...All-ACC.

Gerald Hodges, Penn State, LB... Was All-Big Ten selection last season.

DeMontre Hurst, Oklahoma, DB...2nd team All-Big 12.

Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas, DE... Had 21 tackles for losses with 8 sacks.

Brandon Jenkins, Florida State, DE...Had 12 tackles for losses, 8 sacks in 2011.

Jarvis Jones, Georgia, LB...Led SEC with 19.5 TFL and 13.5 sacks in 2011.

A.J. Klein, Iowa State, LB...Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Big-12 last season.

Jake Knott, Iowa State, LB...2nd team All-Big 12.

Jordan Kovacs, Michigan, S...75 tackles last season...Honorable mention All- Big Ten.

Patrick Larimore, UCLA, LB...Team captain, defensive MVP, led team in tackles (81).

Star Lotulelei, Utah, DT...Won Morris Trophy as top def. lineman in Pac 12 in 2011.

Brandon Magee, Arizona State, LB...Missed last season with torn Achilles.

T.J. McDonald, USC, S...Two-time captain...All-Pac 12 performer.

Sam Montgomery, LSU, DE...Hendricks finalist...All SEC.

Brandon Ogletree, BYU, LB...Led Cougars with 76 tackles last season.

Alex Okafor, Texas, DE...All-Big 12...14 tackles for loss.

J.C. Percy, Boise State, LB...Leading returning tackler on team.

Ray Polk, Colorado, S...Led team with 59 unassisted tackles last season.

Jordan Poyer, Oregon State, CB...16 passes defended and Second team All-Pac 12.

Kevin Reddick, North Carolina, LB...2nd on team last season with 71 tackles.

Eric Reid, LSU, S...2nd team All SEC.

Luke Ruff, Wyoming, S...Led team in tackles with 102.

Kawaan Short, Purdue, DT...2nd team All-Big Ten...17 tackles for loss.

John Simon, Ohio State, DT...1st team All Big-Ten...Recorded 16 TFLs, seven sacks.

Baker Steinkuhler, Nebraska, DT...Had 40 tackles, 5 for losses in 2011.

Mike Taylor, Wisconsin, LB...Led Badgers with 137 tackles.

Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, LB...Led Irish with 128 tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss.

Chase Thomas, LB, Stanford...Among national leaders with 22 tackles for loss in 2011.

Joe Vellano, Maryland, DT...Most tackles of all d-linemen in country last year (94).

Zach Watts, Army, LB...Had 26 tackles, 6.5 for losses and three sacks.

Bjoern Werner, Florida State, DE...Recorded 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

Jesse Williams, Alabama, DT...Helped anchor the No. 1 rush defense in the country.