University of Arizona Athletics

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. ?- Arizona senior safety Darrell Brooks has been named to the 2005 Lott Trophy Watch List, it was announced Sunday.  He is one of the 42 top defensive players in the nation on the list.

Brooks is a returning second-team All Pac-10 player, who graduated this past December.

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Trophy goes to the college defensive player of the year who has the biggest impact both on and off the field.  Georgia’s David Pollack won the inaugural award last year.

The award is sponsored by the IMPACT Foundation of The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, and draws its criteria from the acronym ?'IMPACT’ -- overall integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.   It is one of few college football awards distinctly given for both performance and character.

Brooks is one of X Pac-10 players on the watch list, including Trent Bray of Oregon State, Darnell Bing of USC, Will Derting of Washington State, Spencer Havner of UCLA, Justin London of UCLA, Donnie McCleskey of California, Kevin Schimmelmann of Stanford and Jamar Williams of Arizona State.

“Darrell exemplifies everything you look for in a student-athlete,” UA athletics director Jim Livengood said. “He’s physically talented, competitive, a great student and has a keen interest in life around him and beyond. He’s a special person,” he said.

A panel of national voters including collegiate offensive and defensive coordinators, former NFL coaches and players, media and the Board of Directors of The IMPACT Foundation comprise the selection committee.  The award will be given Dec. 11 in banquet ceremonies at Newport Beach.

The IMPACT Foundation of the Pacific Club made three donations last year: $25,000 to the general scholarship fund at the University of Georgia, $25,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of America; and $25,000 to the Pat Tillman Foundation.

The 2005 Lott watch list: