Franklin a Quarterfinalist for 2017 Lott IMPACT Trophy

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Orange senior linebacker Zaire Franklin is one of the 20 quarterfinalists for the 2017 Lott IMPACT Trophy. The announcement of the quarterfinalists for the 14th annual award was made by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation on Wednesday, Oct. 18.

The 20 players represent the best college defensive players in the nation who make the biggest IMPACT on their team both on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

In May, Franklin was one of 42 players selected to the watch list for this year's award, which is named after College and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott.

An All-ACC Third Team selection last season and three-year starter at middle linebacker, Franklin is Syracuse's active leader in games started (34), tackles (270), tackles for loss (29) and sacks (8). He is second on the Orange with 44 tackles this season and his 270 career stops is fifth among active ACC defenders.

Off the field, Franklin is the second three-time captain in the history of Syracuse football and the first in the modern era. He has represented the program three times at ACC Football Kickoff, the league's annual preseason media event. In addition, Franklin is the former president of the Syracuse University chapter of Omega Psi Phi, as well as a past member of the Syracuse Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

A Dean's List student, Franklin is pursuing dual degrees in finance and marketing management at Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management.

Founded in 2004 by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The Lott Trophy is the first and only college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. It is presented to the player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career.

The semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 8 and the four finalists will be revealed on Nov. 28. The finalists will attend The Lott IMPACT Trophy Awards Banquet Dec. 10 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach where Lott himself will announce the winner. Each of the schools of the finalists will receive $5,000 for their general scholarship fund, while the school of the winner will receive $25,000.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the board of directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and a distinguished group of former college football head coaches.

For more information on The Lott IMPACT Trophy, visit www.LottImpactTrophy.org.

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Franklin a Quarterfinalist for 2017 Lott IMPACT Trophy

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