Hutchinson Wins 2021 Lott IMPACT Trophy
12/12/2021 10:44:00 PM | Football
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced Sunday evening (Dec. 12) that senior defensive end Aidan Hutchinson of the No. 2-ranked University of Michigan football team has been awarded the 2021 Lott IMPACT Trophy. The announcement was made during the foundation's 18th award dinner and ceremony held at The Pacific Club.
First awarded in 2004, the Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the student-athlete who exhibits the characteristics displayed by Ronnie Lott during his college and professional years. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. Hutchinson received $25,000 for the University of Michigan's general scholarship fund. A National Voter Panel of more than 300 former college coaches, players and members of the media voted on the award.
Hutchinson is the second Michigan player to win the prestigious award named for NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott. Linebacker/defensive back Jabrill Peppers was the recipient of the 2016 Lott IMPACT Trophy. The other finalists for the award were Nakobe Dean (Georgia), Devin Lloyd (Utah) and Jordan Davis (Georgia).
Hutchinson has collected a lot of hardware and recognition this week. He flew to California for the Lott after finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up on Saturday night (Dec. 11) in New York. Hutchinson became just the fourth defensive player in the history of the award to finish first or second, joining Pitt's Hugh Green (1980) and Notre Dame's Manti Te'o (2012) as runners-up and former Michigan great Charles Woodson as the only Heisman winner.
Earlier in the week, Hutchinson was recognized for his academic success as one of the National Football Foundation's Scholar-Athletes. Midweek, he was named winner of the Rotary Lombardi Award (best lineman, offense or defense) and the Ted Hendricks Trophy (top defensive end). In addition, the conference coaches voted Hutchinson as the Chicago Tribune Silver Football Award recipient as the Big Ten's Most Valuable Player.
Hutchinson was named a first-team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) during the week.
He has been the top-rated defensive player in the country this season. Hutchinson is third nationally in sacks per contest (1.08 avg.) despite being double-teamed and chipped most of the time. He leads Michigan's defensive line with 58 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Hutchinson has collected seven sacks in the past four games, including a career-best three at Penn State (Nov. 13) and against Ohio State (Nov. 27). Overall, he has registered sacks in nine contests and posted at least one TFL in 11 games. Hutchinson has played 738 snaps for the Wolverines this season.
