Sky Writing | by Pat

It's been awhile since we've had a mixed bag style update. Here's a quick rundown on some assorted news items from the past week or so while we all wait for kickoff.

• Zibby was recently named quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy. The award is presented by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation and honors the IMPACT Defensive Player of the Year. At first I was a bit surprised that Zibby made the quarterfinal cut given that Trevor Laws is the best defensive player on the team and he didn't make the list. But the award is one of the few that considers more than just on the field action.

The student-athlete is judged on both his on-field performance and his off-field performance. The Lott Trophy is the only sports award based on personal character and is appropriately named after the legendary defensive back, Ronnie Lott.

Given Zibby's generous charitable donations over the past few years -- in addition to his on the field play -- it's not quite as surprising that people around the country have noticed and want to recognize his contributions. Congrats to Zibby.

• When it comes to strictly on the field performance, Trevor Laws has been having a stellar year and is a lock for this year's Defensive MVP. ND has also started to do a little push for more national recognition for the 5th year defensive lineman. Tucked in on page 61 of this week's Navy game notes is a special section on Laws as All-American candidate. Included in a list of his accomplishments this season is a table comparing him to likely 1st Team All-American candidates Glenn Dorsey of LSU and Sedrick Ellis of Southern Cal. Trevor's numbers hold up very well compared to the two with Laws holding a big edge in tackles (67) compared to 39 for both Dorsey and Ellis. I don't expect Laws to beat those two talented players out for a 1st Team All-American spot, but Laws absolutely should be seriously considered for a 2nd Team spot.

• Sticking with the award theme, John Carlson has been named a 2007 National Scholar-Athlete by the National Football Foundation. Carlson is ND's 15th player to earn the award, but only the first since Tim Ruddy earned the same honor in 1993.

As a National Scholar-Athlete, Carlson receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and is one of 15 finalists for the Draddy Trophy, the award presented to the nation's top scholar-athlete and often referred to as "The Academic Heisman." Should he win the Draddy Trophy, the scholarship would grow to $25,000.

That's one heck of an accomplishment.

• From one tight end to another, Lacrosse Magazine has an interesting article on sophomore Will Yeatman that documents the non-stop work for one of ND's top dual sport athlete. It also includes his humorous exchange on the every present debate about Yeatman's athletic future.

"I was sitting in the stands for that lacrosse game, and people talking about Will behind us are saying he's going to leave lacrosse for football," Bonnie Yeatman says. "Then I go to the Blue-Gold game, and it just so happened there were a bunch of football guys sitting behind us, and they're saying Will's going to leave spring football and play lacrosse [full time]. My daughter and I were just laughing."

• Finally, let's close with a video clip of future Notre Dame player Michael Floyd. If you were wondering why so many colleges were after the Minnesota native, it's for catches like this one.