UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr and Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley are among nine players who qualified for the semifinalist cut for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Barr and Mosley are two of the top seven senior NFL draft prospects in the nation, according to NFL.com draft analyst Gil Brandt's Hot 100 list, with Barr ranking No. 1. The Lott IMPACT Trophy, named for former San Francisco 49ers safety Ronnie Lott, combines both performance and character in defensive players as its criteria, using IMPACT as an acronym for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.
Others named to the semifinalist list include linebacker Chris Borland of Wisconsin, defensive lineman Aaron Donald of Pittsburgh, defensive end Devon Kennard of USC, linebacker James Morris of Iowa, safety Ed Reynolds of Stanford, linebacker Ryan Shazier of Ohio State and linebacker Kyle Van Noy of BYU.
Van Noy ranks No. 82 on Brandt's top 100, while Borland ranks No. 84.
The winner will be announced Dec. 8.
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter *@ChaseGoodbread.*