Oct. 28, 2008
Illinois linebacker Brit Miller has been named the winner of The Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week, presented by Wachovia. Miller had a sensational game against Wisconsin, recording 16 total tackles (13 solos), a sack and three passes broken up in a 27-17 loss. Illinois will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Miller's performance.
Miller was selected by The Legends Football Coaches Association. Former Indiana Coach Bill Mallroy, a member of the Legends Coaches, said: "Miller was a one-man wrecking crew against the Badgers. I have watched him develop into a real leader for their defense. He's such a hard-nosed player. I now think he's as good as J Leman was last year and he was one of the four Lott finalists."
Miller, who is among the nation's leaders in tackles for losses with 14, has already graduated from Illinois and has been selected to the American Football Coaches Assn. Good Works Team.
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 college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.
Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, Ca., the award is given to a 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, The IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisers comprised of many retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.
Other players receiving consideration from the Legends Coaches this week were: Brian Orakpo of Texas, Geoirge Selvie of South Florida, Eric Berry of Tennessee and Brandon Spikes of Florida.
The Lott Trophy IMPACT Players of the Week, 2008
Week I - Alterraun Verner, CB, UCLA
Week II - Zack Follett, LB, Cal
Week III - George Selvie, DE, South Florida
Week IV - Aaron Curry, LB, Wake Forest
Week V - Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
Week VI - Scott McKillop, LB, Pitt
Week VII - Brian Orakpo, DE,Texas
Week VIII - Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Week IX - Brit Miller, LB, Illinois
