Eric Kendricks wins UCLA’s second straight Lott IMPACT Trophy

The Eric Kendricks award tour just keeps on rolling.

On Sunday, UCLA’s senior linebacker won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, becoming the second straight Bruin to win the award after former All-American Anthony Barr. Given each year to the top defensive player who also exhibits off-the-field character, the award was founded in 2004. This is the first time two players from the same school have ever won.

RELATED: Eric Kendricks may be just the latest piece in UCLA’s new linebacker pipeline.

Kendricks beat out three other finalists: Alabama defensive back Landon Collins, Duke linebacker David Helton, and Washington linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha. The Lott IMPACT Trophy also comes with a $25,000 contribution to UCLA’s general scholarship fund. Continue reading “Eric Kendricks wins UCLA’s second straight Lott IMPACT Trophy” »

Eric Kendricks named one of four Lott IMPACT Trophy finalists

UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks celebrates an interception with his teammates during the Bruins' 38-20 win over USC on Nov. 22, 2014. (Keith Birmingham/Staff)

UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks celebrates an interception with his teammates during the Bruins’ 38-20 win over USC on Nov. 22, 2014. (Keith Birmingham/Staff)

UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks had to settle for All-Pac-12 second team last night, but today he became a finalist for a second major national award.

The Bruins’ all-time leading tackler is one of four candidates left for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, given each year to a top defensive player for both his on- and off-field contributions. He is joined by Washington linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha, Duke linebacker David Helton and Alabama safety Landon Collins.

Former UCLA All-American linebacker Anthony Barr won the Lott IMPACT Trophy last season, which netted a $25,000 donation to the school’s general scholarship fund. Founded in 2004, the award has yet to be granted to multiple players from the same program.

Kendricks is also one of five finalists for the Butkus Award, given to college football’s best linebacker.

UCLA’s Eric Kendricks named a Lott IMPACT Trophy quarterfinalist

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UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks has been named a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which former teammate Anthony Barr won a year ago.

The senior is one of 20 players still short-listed for the award, given each season to a top defensive player. The award purports to “give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance.”

Seven quarterfinalists hail from the Pac-12, more than any other conference. With 77 tackles this season, Kendricks is on pace to lead the league in the stat for the second time in three years.

Barr — who became a consensus All-American and the No. 9 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft — displayed the award in a ceremony at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 4, during the Bruins’ 30-28 loss to Utah. UCLA received a $25,000 check toward its general scholarship fund.

Anthony Barr wins Lott IMPACT Trophy

UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr won the Lott IMPACT Trophy today, his first major national honor this season. The award identifies the best defensive player in college football, but also weighs personal character. The other finalists were USC’s Devon Kennard, Wisconsin’s Chris Borland and Iowa’s James Morris.

Barr is also a finalist for the Lombardi and Bednarik Awards — given to the top lineman on either side of the ball and the top defensive player, respectively. The senior lost the Butkus Award for best linebacker to Alabama’s C.J. Mosley.