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Growing up, Ronnie Lott was one of my favorite football players. Known for his toughness - he once famously chose to have his finger amputated over risking missing time recovering from the break. The longtime 49ers safety was known for his toughness, football IQ, and awareness, and the trophy named after him represents those qualities for athletes today.
Now, the award is given annually
to individuals who demonstrate excellence in the field of athletics and recognizes college football’s Defensive Player of the Year who best exemplifies the IMPACT acronym: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Earlier this week, it was announced that TCU linebacker Ty Summers had been named to the watch list for the award, joining 41 other defensive standouts from around the country. Summers, a former high school QB, has played in 41 games at linebacker for the Frogs across three seasons, accumulating 271 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 17 TFLs. Known for his toughness, tenacity, and instinct, Summers has transformed himself into one of the most productive defensive players of the Gary Patterson era on the field, and has been a leader off of it, as well.
Joining Summers on the Watch List from the Big 12 are Kansas linebacker Joe Dineen, Kansas State safety Denzel Goolsby, and Oklahoma linebacker Caleb Kelly. Other notable nominees are Ohio State’s Nick Bosa, Houston’s Ed Oliver, and Christian Wilkins of Clemson.
Here’s more on Summers, courtesy of Go Frogs:
Summers, who will play this fall as a graduate student after already earning his TCU degree, is a two-time All-Big 12 selection. His 271 career tackles rank fifth in the 17-season tenure of head coach Gary Patterson. Summers enters the 2018 campaign needing 73 tackles to pass current Los Angeles Ram Travin Howard for the top spot.
A senior from San Antonio, Summers was the 2017-18 TCU Fellowship of Christian Athletes Bob Lilly Male Athlete of the Year. He is actively involved with S.P.A.R.K., a community outreach program organized by TCU football student-athletes, and is a frequent speaker at area schools.
TCU two-time consensus first-team All-America defensive end Jerry Hughes, now with the Buffalo Bills, was the 2009 Lott IMPACT Trophy recipient.