BERKELEY – Cal senior linebacker Jordan Kunasyzk was one of eight football student-athletes named Wednesday by the Pacific Impact Foundation as semifinalists for the 2018 Lott IMPACT Trophy. The award honoring Ronnie Lott is given annually to the college football defensive player who best exemplifies the IMPACT acronym of Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Voting for the winner and finalists will take place later this month and the 15th annual awards banquet will be held Dec. 9 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. The banquet will be streamed live with Joel Klatt of FOX serving as the master of ceremonies.

The university of the winner will receive $25,000 for the school's general scholarship fund with each of the other three finalists getting $5,000 for their school.

Below are notes on Kunzaszyk with an extended bio available by clicking on his name.
 

Jordan Kunaszyk, ILB, 6-3, 235, Sr., 2L, Sacramento, CA (American River College/Roseville HS)

• An All-American and national honors candidate as a 2018 senior who in addition to being a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Award was also on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy given to the nation's top defensive player and the Butkus Award® honoring the country's top linebacker at the high school, collegiate and professional levels
• Earned first-team All-Pac-12 midseason honors as a 2018 senior
• Ranks second nationally in solo stops (7.6) and eighth in total tackles per contest (11.4)
• Has started each of the first 10 games as a senior and being tied for the nation's lead in solo tackles (53) and solo tackles per game (8.8) while raking second in the Pac-12 and third nationally in total tackles per contest (12.7)
• Has totaled 114 tackles, 11.0 tackles for loss (-55 yards), 4.0 sacks (-24 yards), four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries in his first 10 contests as a senior
• Has recorded double-digit tackles seven times including a career-high 22 against UCLA that are the most by a Cal player since Jerrott Willard had the same number against USC in 1993
• Selected twice as a Lott IMPACT Trophy Player of the Week candidate for his performances against Idaho State and UCLA
• Has helped Cal be ranked among the nation's top 35 in several key defensive categories including defensive touchdowns (T11th, 3), first downs defense (T12th, 176), passes intercepted (T13th, 14), total defense (18th, 318.6 ypg), team pass efficiency defense (18th, 111.97), passing yards allowed (20th, 183.8 ypg), third-down conversion percentage defense (22nd, 32.9%), scoring defense (T28th, 21.1 ppg) despite opponents' defensive scoring six touchdowns and rushing defense (34th, 134.8 ypg)
• Has helped Cal lead the Pac-12 in first downs defense, passes intercepted, team pass efficiency defense and passing yards allowed while co-leading the conference in defensive touchdowns
• Part of the nation's leading duo along with fellow inside linebacker Evan Weaver in solo tackles per game with a combined average of 13.9 while ranking first among Power 5 teams and second as a duo in total tackles per contest (22.3)