Nov. 13, 2008

Wake Forest senior linebacker Aaron Curry has been named a semi-finalist for the fifth annual Lott Trophy.

The Lott Trophy is named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and is given to college football's defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. The recipient best exhibits the same characteristics that Lott embodied during his career including integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.

Curry is the team tackle leader for the Demon Deacons who are 6-3 on the season and tied for first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division. Curry has 77 tackles and a team-high 11.5 tackles for loss this season. He has also been credited with three pass breakups and one interception.

Curry has 304 career tackles and 41 career tackles for loss.

The other seven semi-finalists include Eric Berry of Tennessee, James Laurinaitis of Ohio State, Scott McKillop of Pittsburgh, Brit Miller of Illinois, Brian Orakpo of Texas, Nick Reed of Oregon and Myron Rolle of Florida State.

The Deacons will play at NC State on Saturday, November 15 in a game to be shown nationally on ESPNU. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m.

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the previous award recipients include David Pollack of Georgia, DeMeco Ryans of Alabama, Dante Hughes of Cal and Glenn Dorsey of LSU.

Four finalists will be announced on Nov. 26 with all four attending the annual gala black-tie banquet in Newport Beach, Calif. on Dec. 14. The winning player's university will receive $25,000 for its general scholarship fund and each of the4 three other finalists will receive $5,000 for their school's general scholarship fund.