Virginia football senior linebacker Micah Kiser is a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, an award established by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in honor of NFL Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott.
According to the Lott IMPACT Trophy official website, 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.”
Past winners included Jabril Peppers (2016), Luke Kuechly (2011) and J.J. Watt (2010). Former UVA defensive end Chris Long was a finalist for the award in 2007.
Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell and Stanford defensive lineman Harrison Phillips round out this year’s list of finalists. The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 10.
Hoos Select Senior Bowl Invites
Virginia football announced that Kiser, senior quarterback Kurt Benkert, and senior defensive end Andrew Brown have accepted invitations to the 2018 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
The event is set for January 27, 2018, and will be played at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. The NFL Network will televise.
Nelson The ACC Defensive Rookie Of The Year
I did it Grandma
— Brenton Nelson (@NelsonBrenton) November 28, 2017
Of all of Virginia football’s postseason accolades, perhaps the most emotional was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year award won by redshirt freshman safety Brenton Nelson.
Nelson, who will receive the award on December 1, arrived in Charlottesville as a walk-on. The Miami (FL) native earned a scholarship last offseason and has started all 12 games for the Hoos this season, totaling 58 tackles (31 solo), six pass deflections, and four interceptions.
Nelson received 29 votes in ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Clemson defensive back A.J. Terrell finished second with 20 votes. Boston College running back A.J. Dillon won overall Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Nelson took to Twitter to express his excitement. Teammates and coaches did as well.
ALLLLL PRAISEEEE TOOOO THEEEE MOSSTTTTTT HIGHHHHHHHH
— Brenton Nelson (@NelsonBrenton) November 28, 2017
Blessed to be around these 3 everyday. Fierce competitors and great young men. Laying down the #NewStandard pic.twitter.com/f2qeozLBOE
— Nick Howell (@Nick9Howell) November 28, 2017
Words can’t describe how proud I am of @NelsonBrenton. He’s one of the toughest, fiercest, most selfless competitors I’ve been around. From walk-on to impact player! Congratulations! You earned it!#Hoos#NewStandard #HardWorkPaysOff pic.twitter.com/glhLahKj8h
— Marques Hagans (@coachmhagans) November 28, 2017
From walk-on to ACC DROY
Congratulations! @NelsonBrenton #NewStandard ⚔️ https://t.co/mxd5vy6TUK
— Vic So’oto (@Coach_Sooto) November 28, 2017
Crazy part is they really don’t even know the grind in the summer you was going through.. S/O to my brother one more time @NelsonBrenton
— Chuck DAVIS (@ForeverGone6) November 29, 2017
@NelsonBrenton What up BNel! https://t.co/oTKkQHJCdi
— Joe Reed (@JoeBee_2) November 28, 2017
Bowl Projections
At 6-6, Virginia football is set to go bowling for the first time since 2011. Below is a sampling of projections as to where the Cavaliers may be headed.
Athlon Sports: Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman (Dec. 28 in Annapolis, MD) vs. Navy
CBS Sports: Quick Lane Bowl (Dec. 26 in Detroit, MI) vs. Western Michigan
ESPN: Military Bowl vs. South Florida (per Kyle Bonagura) or Navy (per David Hale)
Sports Illustrated – Quick Lane Bowl vs Central Michigan
Yahoo Sports – Military Bowl vs. Navy
