Illini Leman, Smith honored

Posted November 26, 2007 10:00 pm

Associated Press

Linebacker J Leman of Illinois has been named a finalist for the fourth annual Lott Trophy to be presented Dec. 9. The Lott Trophy honors college football's "defensive impact player of the year."

The other three finalists are LSU tackle Glenn Dorsey, Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis and Virginia end Chris Long. The student-athlete is judged on both his on-field performance and his off-field performance.

Also, Illinois sophomore forward Jenna Smith has again been named Big Ten player of the week. Smith was named Most Valuable Player of the FIU Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday after leading the Illini to the tournament title with a pair of double-doubles. Smith, a native of Bloomington, Minn., scored 29 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in Illinois' 60-59 victory over Providence in the championship game Sunday. On Friday, Smith tallied 17 points and 10 boards on 8-of-11 shooting in Illinois' 91-58 rout of South Carolina.

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