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Michigan’s redshirt sophomore linebacker/defensive back Jabrill Peppers was named the winner of the 2016 Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Check out @UMichFootball Linebacker Jabrill Peppers' 2016 Lott IMPACT Trophy acceptance speech. #CharacterCounts pic.twitter.com/DF8Z6OKXMx
— Lott IMPACT Trophy (@LottIMPACTrophy) December 12, 2016
Peppers won the award over Adoree Jackson of USC, Jonathan Allen of Alabama, and Weston Steelhammer of Air Force.
"I'm shocked right now," Peppers said in his acceptance speech. "I thought for sure Adoree Jackson had the home-field advantage. But all these guys up here are well-deserving and I'm just truly honored and blessed to be able to represent this man's name and all he stands for and stood for on the field. I'd like to thank the Lott IMPACT Foundation and God, my teammates and my family, because without those people, none of this is possible. Thank you."
The award is given annually to the top defensive player on and off the field in college football. The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation will present a $25,000 check to Michigan’s scholarship fund.
Peppers is the first Michigan player to win the award, which is named after Hall of Fame football player Ronnie Lott.
The superstar finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting, but won the Hornung Award for the nation’s most versatile player and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award.
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Previous Winners of the Lott IMPACT Trophy
2004 – David Pollack, Georgia
2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 – Dante Hughes, Cal
2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
2009 – Jerry Hughes, TCU
2010 – J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
2011- Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2012 – Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
2013 – Anthony Barr, UCLA
2014 – Eric Kendricks, UCLA
2015 – Carl Nassib, Penn State
2016 – Jabrill Peppers, Michigan