Courtesy of OhioStateBuckeyes.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State junior linebacker Raekwon McMillan has been named a semifinalist for the 2016 Lott IMPACT Trophy, announced by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation. The award goes to a college football defensive player who has had the biggest IMPACT on his team both and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. In other words, character counts.
Also a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, McMillan leads the team with 54 tackles on the season. The quarterback for one of the nation’s top defensive units, he recorded nine tackles in the win over Northwestern and had eight in the road win at Oklahoma. The Hinesville, Ga., native also has recorded 2.5 TFL, four PBUs and one forced fumble. He has six games this season with at least six tackles.
McMillan, a co-captain, has led a defense that has given up just 10 touchdowns this season and has allowed only three rushing touchdowns, the fewest in the FBS. They also have scored six defensive TDs, second best in the FBS. Ohio State ranks first in the FBS in pass efficiency defense (88.1), second in red zone defense (.667), third in scoring defense (13.8), fourth in passing yards allowed (166.1) and TO margin (+1.22 per game), fifth in total defense (285.3) and ninth with 14 INTs.
A National Voter Panel, made up of former coaches, players, selected media and previous Lott IMPACT Trophy winners, will select four finalists as well as the winner. The finalists will be announced Nov. 29. The four finalists will be flown into Newport Beach where the annual Lott IMPACT Trophy Awards Banquet will be held at the prestigious Pacific Club on Dec. 11.
McMillan and the Buckeyes travel to Maryland at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
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