Iowa senior captain and starting linebacker James Morris is one of 20 quarterfinalists for the 2013 Lott IMPACT Trophy.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy was established to honor college football’s defensive player of the year. The award gives equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance.

The Solon native is also on watch lists for the Bednarik, Butkus, and Nagurski Awards. Morris has totaled 349 career tackles, and he racked up 13 stops in Iowa’s most recent contest against Ohio State. The winner of the Lott Trophy will be announced at the 10th-annual trophy banquet on Dec. 8. The university of the winner will receive $25,000 for its general scholarship fund. 

— by Ben Ross