Nassib Named Finalist for Lott IMPACT Trophy

You can add Carl Nassib to another award finalist list after his record-breaking senior campaign. 

The Penn State defensive end was announced as a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which is awarded annually to a “distinguished young man who represents the qualities embodies by Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.”

Lott was a defensive back at USC and went down as one of the best in NFL history after a career that included four Super Bowl wins and 10 Pro Bowl appearances.

The award’s acronym represents six qualities that Lott embodies: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. 

Nassib is one of four finalists alongside Duke safety Jeremy Cash, Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry, and Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich.

The Nittany Lions’ standout defensive player is a finalist for four other awards: the Lombardi Award given to the top lineman or linebacker, the Nagurski Trophy given to the best defensive player, the Bednarik Award given to the best defensive player, and the Burlsworthy Trophy awarded to the best player who started his college career as a walk-on.

Nassib has already been named the Big Ten Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year in a vote by conference coaches, and was elected to the All-Big Ten first team by both coaches and the media. 

He leads the FBS in sacks with 15.5, a mark that is also a Penn State single-season record, and in forced fumbles with six. He also finished the regular season second in tackles for a loss with 19.5. 

The award show will be held live on Fox Sports at 7 p.m. on Sun. Dec. 13, hosted by Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft.