David Named Lott Trophy Semifinalist

Nebraska senior linebacker Lavonte David was one of eight players named a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy on Wednesday. The Lott Trophy is presented annually to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.

David was one of five linebackers on the list and one of two players from the Big Ten Conference, along with Ohio State defensive lineman John Simon. The Huskers boast a semifinalist for the award for the second time in three seasons, as Ndamukong Suh was a finalist in 2009.

A Miami native, David leads Nebraska with 88 tackles this season, after setting a school record with 152 tackles in 2010. David has also paced the Huskers this fall with seven tackles-for-loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He ranks in the top 25 nationally with an average of 9.78 tackles per game, including four games with at least 10 tackles this season. He has twice been named the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week this season, earning the honor against both Ohio State and Michigan State.

In his career, David's 240 tackles are the most among two-year players in school history. He enters Saturday's game at Penn State in 13th place on Nebraska's career tackle chart, needing only nine tackles to move into the top 10. David's career numbers also stack up well against his current peers, as his career average of 10.4 tackles per game ranks fourth nationally among all active players.

2011 Lott Trophy Semifinalists
Emmanuel Acho, LB, Texas
Brodrick Brown, DB, Oklahoma State
Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
Dont'a Hightower, LB, Alabama
Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College
Chase Minnifield, DB, Virginia
John Simon, DL, Ohio State
Manti Te'o, LB, Notre Dame