University of Michigan standout Jabrill Peppers took home top honors at the 13th annual Lott IMPACT Trophy Awards last night at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach.
The trophy recognizes a top college football defensive player who also exemplifies character, leadership, community involvement and academic achievement.
Peppers, a Heisman Trophy finalist, excelled as a linebacker with 72 tackles, including 16 for losses, and as a punt and kickoff returner and occasional offensive threat who notched three touchdowns.
The 6-foot-1, 208-pound junior from East Orange, N.J. won the Paul Hornung Award, which is given to the nation’s most versatile player. Peppers played 15 different positions this season.
The IMPACT Trophy is named after NFL Hall of Famer and University of Southern California star Ronnie Lott, a four-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers.
The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation presented a $25,000 check to the general scholarship fund at Michigan in recognition of Peppers’ achievement.
Other finalists included Jonathan Allen of the University Alabama, USC’s Adoreé Jackson, and Weston Steelhammer of Air Force. Each school will receive $5,000 for its general scholarship fund.
The foundation has donated more than $1.3 million to various charities and universities throughout the country.
Prior Lott Trophy winners include Manti Te’o, J.J. Watt and Luke Kuechly.
The event, presented by Mercedes-Benz USA and televised on FOX Sports, also honored former UCLA Coach Terry Donahue for his work with California Showcase, an annual tryout for high school students to compete for financial aid to play college football.
Former Rams All-Pro and actor Fred Dryer was the keynote speaker.
