Jones Named A Semifinalist For Lott IMPACT Trophy

FOOTBALL

Georgia junior Jarvis Jones has been named one of eight semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, according to an announcement on Thursday.

This honor is given annually to the student-athlete who has had the biggest IMPACT (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity) to their teams both on and off the field.

Jones is one of the eight semifinalists who have been picked from the initial Watch List of 42 players. A national voter panel of more than 300 former coaches, players, members of the media, members of the Lott IMPACT Foundation Board of Directors and former Lott Trophy winners will select the winner. The four finalists will be named on November 28th and then attend the black-tie gala on December 9th.

The Lott IMPACT Foundation awards $25,000 to the general scholarship fund of the winner’s university and $5,000 to each of the three runner-ups.

The seven other finalists feature two players from the Southeastern Conference. Mississippi State cornerback Johnthan Banks and LSU safety Eric Reid are the two players from the SEC while Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown, San Jose State defensive end Travis Johnson, Ohio State defensive lineman John Simon, Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o and Stanford linebacker Chase Thomas were also included on the list.

A 6-3, 241-pound outside linebacker from Columbus, Jones has accumulated 56 tackles, including 17.0 tackles for loss of 100 yards and 10.5 sacks, one interception, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in only eight games this season. He is the current NCAA active leader in sacks per game (1.1) with 24 in two seasons and in tackles for loss (1.7) with 36.5 through this season and last.

He has twice been named the National Defensive Player of the Week by the Lott IMPACT, Nagurski and Walter Camp awards in 2012 and the SEC Defensive Player of the Week twice this season following his performances at Missouri and versus #3 Florida.

Jones has sparked a defense that has given up a combined 19 points (one touchdown, four field goals) during the team’s last three SEC victories. During that span, Jones has tallied 20 tackles, including five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Jones earned All-America honors last season after leading the SEC and tying for fifth nationally with 13.5 sacks to go along with 70 tackles, including 19.5 tackles for loss.

Former Georgia All-American and current ESPN announcer David Pollack won the inaugural Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2004.

Jones has already been named a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and a semifinalist for the Bednarik, Maxwell, Butkus, and Lombardi awards.