Latest news with #LottIMPACTTrophy
USA Today
06-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis nominated for prestigious honor
Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis nominated for prestigious honor Only a handful of elites in their craft can say they are a part of a Hall of Fame. That's what former Ohio State linebacker and current assistant coach James Laurinaitis is hoping for, and for good reason. The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame ballot was released this week, and Laurinaitis has his name appearing on it yet again. He's no stranger to having his name penciled in as a potential, this being his seventh consecutive year, but he has yet to make the cut. The numbers and accolades are definitely there. During his time at Ohio State from 2005 to 2008, he tallied over 115 tackles three straight years, had 13 sacks, and nine interceptions. He was so good in Columbus that he was a three-time First-team All-Big Ten performer, was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Year twice, Jack Lambert recipient twice, was a unanimous All-American in 2007, three time consensus All-American, and won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Lott IMPACT Trophy, and Butkus Award during his career in college. Whew. There aren't many more accomplished linebackers in college football history, so it's a wonder why his name has not made it through the voting process yet. Maybe this is the year. If so, he'll have to be one of the players left standing between other candidates, Mark Ingram II, Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III, Aaron Donald, Kellen Moore, and another 73 players. Voting ends on July 1, so we should get some news on Laurinaitis' fate before the start of the college football season. We say it's high time the "Little Animal" becomes big-time in the College Football Hall of Fame. If he does get the nod, Laurinaitis will join 32 other Buckeyes, including three other linebackers.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Which Alabama football players are 2026 College Football Hall of Fame nominees?
The 2026 College Football Hall of Fame class could have a few more Alabama football connections. The National Football Foundation announced 79 players and nine coaches who are in the running for the 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame. The announcement for the class will be made in early 2026. Advertisement Here's a look at the players nominated who have Alabama football connections: Mark Ingram: Alabama football running back Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide former running back Mark Ingram on the field prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Mark Ingram was a unanimous first-team All-American and Alabama's first Heisman Trophy winner. The 2009 SEC Offensive Player of the Year had 3,261 rushing yards and 42 rushing touchdowns in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. Ingram was the No. 28 overall pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 NFL draft. DeMeco Ryans: Alabama football linebacker Oct. 22, 2005; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker DeMeco Ryans (35) celebrates the game ending interception in the final seconds against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated Tennessee 6-3. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports © 2005 John David Mercer DeMeco Ryans was a unanimous first-team All-American and won the Lott IMPACT Trophy. The 2005 SEC Defensive Player of the Year had 76 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and 5 sacks for the Crimson Tide before being the No. 33 overall pick of the Houston Texans in the 2006 NFL draft. Dennis Franchione: Alabama football coach 27 Dec 2001 : Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione presents the trophy during post-game celebration of the Independence Bowl game against Iowa State at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. Alabama won 14-13. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit:A two-time NAIA Coach of the Year, Dennis Franchione finished with a 17-8 record as the head coach at Alabama in 2001-02. He led the Crimson Tide to an Independence Bowl win in 2001. Franchione also had head coaching stops at TCU, Texas A&M and Texas State. Advertisement Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@ or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football players nominated for 2026 College Football Hall of Fame
USA Today
01-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Ohio State football defenders appear on Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list
Two Ohio State football defenders appear on Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list It's not quite college football watch list season, but it's close. Look no further for proof than the earliest of the watch list announcements taking place this week with the unveiling of the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list for 2025. All told, 42 players appear on this year's version of the watch list, and two of those will be wearing Scarlet and Gray on Saturdays. It's no surprise that Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is on the list as arguably the best defensive player in the country (hint: it won't be the last watch list he appears on), but linebacker Sonny Styles is also among the names to keep an eye on. The Lott IMPACT Trophy, named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, annually goes to the "Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, college football's top defensive player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career." The winner will be announced in December and is selected by a national voter panel, consisting of former winners, members of the media, coaches, and members of the Board of Directors of The IMPACT Foundation. So, stay tuned after the season gets going to see what names continue to be considered for a rather prestigious award. Things will really start to heat up with these preseason watch lists as things get closer and closer to fall camp, and as they do, we'll let you know the ones that have a little Buckeye flair. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Two Alabama players named to 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list
Announced on Wednesday, a pair of Alabama Crimson Tide defensive players have been named to the preseason watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Those two players were the returning duo of LT Overton and Deontae Lawson, both of which were among the 42 total names across college football named to the 2025 preseason watch list. Advertisement Overton, a defensive lineman, transferred to Alabama from Texas A&M a year ago where he had a career-year with the Crimson Tide. Across 13 games played, Overton posted a career-high 42 tackles with three TFL and two sacks, and could easily surpass those totals in 2025. As for Lawson, the inside linebacker is a returning team caption who is entering his fourth season as a starter with the Crimson Tide. Lawson is also coming off a career-year in 2024, one that was shortened by injury, where he had 76 tackles, seven TFL, two sacks, and an interception across 11 games played. Alabama has won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes the top defensive player in college football, only two times ever, which came in 2005 (DeMeco Ryans) and 2022 (Will Anderson Jr.). Last season's winner was Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama's LT Overton, Deontae Lawson named to Lott Trophy watch list
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Alabama players named to 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list
Two Alabama players named to 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list Announced on Wednesday, a pair of Alabama Crimson Tide defensive players have been named to the preseason watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Those two players were the returning duo of LT Overton and Deontae Lawson, both of which were among the 42 total names across college football named to the 2025 preseason watch list. Overton, a defensive lineman, transferred to Alabama from Texas A&M a year ago where he had a career-year with the Crimson Tide. Across 13 games played, Overton posted a career-high 42 tackles with three TFL and two sacks, and could easily surpass those totals in 2025. As for Lawson, the inside linebacker is a returning team caption who is entering his fourth season as a starter with the Crimson Tide. Lawson is also coming off a career-year in 2024, one that was shortened by injury, where he had 76 tackles, seven TFL, two sacks, and an interception across 11 games played. Alabama has won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes the top defensive player in college football, only two times ever, which came in 2005 (DeMeco Ryans) and 2022 (Will Anderson Jr.). Last season's winner was Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
