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Colorado Buffaloes safety Ray Polk is one of 42 players nominated for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, an award presented to the top defensive player in college football each year who also excels off the field.
Polk is certainly a strong candidate. The incoming senior had 80 tackles for the Buffaloes last season and returned an interception 52 yards against Washington State on October 10. The 6-1 Polk also nicely fulfills the community requirement after logging 70 hours of community service with mentally challenged children at Upward Foundation.
The 2012 Loss Trophy Watch list features seven players from last season, headlined by Notre Dame lineback Manti Te'o, who was a finalist for the award last season. Nine of the nominees plays in the Big Ten, while Polk is one of eight players from the Pac-12.
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