TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — While Alabama football remains hopeful for more chaos to ensue in the College Football Playoff, junior safety Minkah Fitzpatrick received some good news as he was one of four players selected to be a finalist for the 14th annual Lott IMPACT Trophy.
News was reported on Wednesday via the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, Calif., as Fitzpatrick joins Josey Jewel of Iowa, Micah Kiser of Virginia and Harrison Phillips of Stanford. Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the honor is to represent players that best display Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
On the field, the New Jersey native has embodied the process of his head coach – Nick Saban – since arriving on campus as a freshman in 2015. He currently has 52 total tackles, including six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Fitzpatrick also accounts for seven pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, a blocked field goal and one interception.
As for his career, the once five-star prospect has nine interceptions – with four being returned for touchdowns, which is a school record. Off the field, Fitzpatrick does some of everything to make sure people leave his presence better than they came in. He is a mentor to a lot of youth in Tuscaloosa, while obtaining a 3.34 grade point average in the classroom. Having the status of being Academic All-District is just as important to him as the title of All-American on the field.
He joins DeMeco Ryans (2006), Rolando McClain (2010), Donta Hightower (2012), Landon Collins (2014) and Jonathan Allen (2016) as the sixth Alabama player to be a finalist.
Ryans was the last to receive the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2006, but Fitzpatrick’s accomplishments and overall appeal could land him as the Tide’s second winner.
The winner of the honor will be announced at the Lott IMPACT Trophy Award Banquet, which will be held at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach on 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.
