UCLA Football: Anthony Barr Wins Lott IMPACT Trophy

October 12, 2013; Pasadena, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Anthony Barr (11) defends against the California Golden Bears during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Ladies and Gentlemen, Anthony Barr is the first UCLA Bruin to win the Lott IMPACT Trophy. It is awarded every season to the Defensive Player of the Year in college football. Barr was one of four finalists for the award along with Chris Borland of Wisconsin, Devon Kennard of USC and Iowa’s James Morris.

Barr may have only been sixth on the Bruins it tackles with 62, but it was how he got his tackles that made him the best defensive player in college football. He had 20 tackles for a loss totaling 109 yards. He also has 10 sacks that put the opposition back 66 yards. And with four fumbles recovered, you have your Lott IMPACT Trophy winner.

This is just the latest in a series of good news for the UCLA Football. First, as most of you know, The Bruins beat the Trojans 35-14. Then UCLA retained Jim Mora as head coach with an extension to 2019, after Washington came knocking to try to fill their head coaching vacancy. He made an awesome video for it as well.

Mora was able to keep new USC head coach Steve Sarkisian from poaching UCLA assistant, Adrian Klemm while also getting a commitment from USC legend Kennedy Pola to coach the Bruin running backs.

To top it off, Barr was named to the All Pac-12 First Team with Xavier Su’a-Filo. Ryan Hofmeister got All Pac-12 Second Team for Special Teams. And finally, Myles Jack was named Pac-12 Offensive and Defensive Player of The Year. #BruinRevolution, indeed.

You can see Barr play one more time in blue and gold, as he and the Bruins will being playing against Virginia Tech (8-4, 5-3 in the ACC) in the Hyundai Sun Bowl on December 31. It will definitely be emotional, but very fun to watch.

Thank you, Anthony Barr.

Mike W.R.

Twitter: @TheBigDisco