Ohio State Linebacker Ryan Shazier has been named the Lott IMPACT Player of the Week. The 6-2, 230-pound junior from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida had three tackles for loss, including two sacks, and seven total tackles as the Buckeyes rolled over Purdue, 56-0 last Saturday.
Shazier is one of 20 quarter-finalists for the annual Lott IMPACT Trophy, which will be presented Dec. 8 in Newport Beach, Ca. The Lott award is the only major college award based on character. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics and Tenacity.
Shazier leads Ohio State with 73 tackles this season and has 245 for his career. He has 11 tackles for losses in 2013 and 33 for his career.
His biggest fan may be Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer who says of his star linebacker, “Ryan is one of the most incredible young men I’ve ever been around. He’s got a heart of gold.”
2013 Lott IMPACT Players of the Week:
Week I – Devon Kennard, USC
Week 2 – Ed Reynolds, Stanford
Week 3 – Anthony Barr, UCLA
Week 4 – Spencer Shuey, Clemson
Week 5 – Alden Darby, Arizona State
Week 6 – Eric Kendricks, UCLA
Week 7 – Bryce Hager, Baylor
Week 8 – Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
Week 9 – James Morris, Iowa
Week 10 – Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
Other notable performances by players on the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List were:
Alden Darby (CB, Arizona State): Broke up 3 passes, forced a fumble and had 8 total tackles in win over Washington State, 55-21.
Aaron Donald (DT, Pitt): Had 6 tackles for loss (highest total in the nation this year), 11 total tackles, but Panthers lost, 21-10, to Georgia Tech.
Devon Kennard (LB, USC): Recorded 2 sacks, 4 total tackles and broke up one pass in 31-14 win over Oregon State.
