The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced its nine semifinalists for the 2015 Lott IMPACT Trophy on Wednesday.

The award, named for Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back and former USC Trojan Ronnie Lott, is presented annually to college football's top defensive IMPACT player. IMPACT is an acronym for: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity.

The Pac-12 led all conferences with five players named to the list, followed by the SEC and the ACC with two each.

2015 Lott IMPACT Trophy Semifinalists

Vic Beasley, Clemson, DE

Landon Collins, Alabama, S

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon, CB

David Helton, Duke, LB

Eric Kendricks, UCLA, LB

Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington, LB

Jordan Richards, Stanford, S

D.T. Shackelford, Ole Miss, LB

Leonard Williams, USC, DT

Ballots to select the winner (and finalists) will be sent to more than 400 national voters, a panel that includes former coaches and players, members of the media, past Lott IMPACT Trophy winners and finalists as well as members of the Board of Directors for the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the sponsors of the award. The four finalists will fly to Newport Beach for a black-tie gala at the Pacific Club on Dec. 14 where the winner will be announced, broadcast live on Fox Sports at 7 PM PST. The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation will make a $25,000 donation to the general scholarship fund of the winner’s university and $5,000 to each of the school’s of the runner-ups.

UCLA Bruins linebacker Anthony Barr took home the award last season.