The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, which hands out the award, says the Lott Trophy is unique because "it represents the first trophy to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player."
The award is named for Ronnie Lott, a two-time All-American at USC who went on to a Hall of Fame career with the NFL's San Francisco 49ers.
The past winners of the Lott Trophy are listed here:
2010: J.J. Watt Wisconsin
2009: Jerry Hughes TCU
2008: James Laurinaitis Ohio State
2007: Glenn Dorsey LSU
2006: Daymeion Hughes California
2005: DeMeco Ryans Alabama
2004: David Pollack Georgia
