Minkah Fitzpatrick is set to have a lot of awards after this season.
While he is prepared to play versus Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., the Pacific Club Impact Foundation chose him as a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Named after NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the honor represents Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity – henceforth the word “IMPACT.”
On the field, Fitzpatrick has been a jewel for Alabama head coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide’s football program since arriving from New Jersey in the 2015 signing class.
Behind Fitzpatrick, the Tide is first nationally in scoring defense (9.8 ppg), second in rushing defense (76 ypg), first in total defense (244 ypg) and first in pass efficiency defense (97.80 rating).
He’s accounted for 38 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and one interception through nine games. Off the field, the former five-star recruit is an exceptional student (3.34 GPA) and does much for the youth in the community.
Throughout his career, he has turned in nine interceptions – especially four that were ran back for touchdowns.
Fitzpatrick is projected to go in the first round of next year’s NFL Draft, but before that happens, the junior safety wants a second national championship with Alabama.
Along with the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Fitzpatrick is a semifinalist for Jim Thorpe, Chuck Bednarik and Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year awards. Former Tide linebacker DeMeco Ryans was the last player in school history to win the award back in 2005.
The winner of this year’s Lott IMPACT Trophy will be announced at the Lott IMPACT Trophy Award Banquet, to be held at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach (Calif.) on Sunday, Dec. 10.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
