Ray Lima honored for his play on the field, and character off

The following is a press release courtesy of Iowa State athletics communications. 

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior defensive lineman Ray Lima was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list, awarded annually to the nation’s best college football player who combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Lima is the epitome of the student-athlete, excelling on the field, in the classroom, and making a difference in the community.

Lima has served over 80 hours of community service in his two years as a Cyclone, the highest total of any member of the football team.

The child of a pastor in Los Angeles has always been eager to lend a helping hand and he understands the impact he has on others.

Some of Lima’s volunteer activities include: school read-a-thons, visits to the hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, Special Olympics, nursing home visits, Boys and Girls Club, Dance Marathon, Soles4Souls Shoe Drive and Stay-a-Breast Fundraiser.

The team co-captain also led a group of Cyclones to Marshalltown last summer to help clean-up after a tornado caused severe damage to the town.

In the classroom, Lima recently earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State and was a First-Team Academic All-Big 12 selection in 2018.

On the field, Lima is one of the best defensive lineman in the nation as one of the key cogs in Iowa State’s resurgence on defense the past two seasons.

Lima is a two-time All-Big 12 selection and was named to the Big 12 Preseason Team earlier this month.

He has started 21 games and recorded 59 tackles and 8.0 TFL in his career.