Latest news with #LottIMPACTTrophy
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Ohio State football defenders appear on Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list
Two Ohio State football defenders appear on Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list It's not quite college football watch list season, but it's close. Look no further for proof than the earliest of the watch list announcements taking place this week with the unveiling of the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list for 2025. All told, 42 players appear on this year's version of the watch list, and two of those will be wearing Scarlet and Gray on Saturdays. It's no surprise that Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is on the list as arguably the best defensive player in the country (hint: it won't be the last watch list he appears on), but linebacker Sonny Styles is also among the names to keep an eye on. The Lott IMPACT Trophy, named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, annually goes to the "Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, college football's top defensive player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career." The winner will be announced in December and is selected by a national voter panel, consisting of former winners, members of the media, coaches, and members of the Board of Directors of The IMPACT Foundation. So, stay tuned after the season gets going to see what names continue to be considered for a rather prestigious award. Things will really start to heat up with these preseason watch lists as things get closer and closer to fall camp, and as they do, we'll let you know the ones that have a little Buckeye flair. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Two Alabama players named to 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list
Announced on Wednesday, a pair of Alabama Crimson Tide defensive players have been named to the preseason watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Those two players were the returning duo of LT Overton and Deontae Lawson, both of which were among the 42 total names across college football named to the 2025 preseason watch list. Advertisement Overton, a defensive lineman, transferred to Alabama from Texas A&M a year ago where he had a career-year with the Crimson Tide. Across 13 games played, Overton posted a career-high 42 tackles with three TFL and two sacks, and could easily surpass those totals in 2025. As for Lawson, the inside linebacker is a returning team caption who is entering his fourth season as a starter with the Crimson Tide. Lawson is also coming off a career-year in 2024, one that was shortened by injury, where he had 76 tackles, seven TFL, two sacks, and an interception across 11 games played. Alabama has won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes the top defensive player in college football, only two times ever, which came in 2005 (DeMeco Ryans) and 2022 (Will Anderson Jr.). Last season's winner was Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama's LT Overton, Deontae Lawson named to Lott Trophy watch list
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida football DL Caleb Banks named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
Florida football DL Caleb Banks named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List Florida football defensive lineman Caleb Banks has been named to the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List, an honor that recognizes the nation's top defensive player who excels both on and off the field. Banks, a redshirt senior from Detroit, Michigan, is one of 42 student-athletes nationwide selected by the Lott IMPACT Trophy Board of Directors for consideration. The award–named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott–spotlights players who demonstrate Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. The Lott IMPACT Trophy winner will be announced in December during a nationally televised ceremony in Newport Beach, California. After transferring to the Florida Gators in 2023, Banks quickly became a force on the Gators' defensive line. In the 2024 season, he recorded 21 total tackles, including seven for loss and 4.5 sacks. Banks' disruptive presence up front earned him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following a dominant performance against the Ole Miss Rebels, where he notched 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also forced and recovered a fumble in Florida's win over the LSU Tigers, finishing the game with a career-high 64 snaps and the top PFF grade of his season. Off the field, Banks is a two-time member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll, underscoring his commitment in the classroom. His leadership, both vocally and by example, has made him a foundational piece of the Gators' defensive identity entering the 2025 season. Originally from Southfield A&T High School in Michigan, Banks joined the Orange and Blue after two seasons with the Louisville Cardinals. He is expected to play a significant role for Florida's defensive front this fall as the Gators look to make some noise in the SEC. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Two Alabama players named to 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list
Two Alabama players named to 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list Announced on Wednesday, a pair of Alabama Crimson Tide defensive players have been named to the preseason watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Those two players were the returning duo of LT Overton and Deontae Lawson, both of which were among the 42 total names across college football named to the 2025 preseason watch list. Overton, a defensive lineman, transferred to Alabama from Texas A&M a year ago where he had a career-year with the Crimson Tide. Across 13 games played, Overton posted a career-high 42 tackles with three TFL and two sacks, and could easily surpass those totals in 2025. As for Lawson, the inside linebacker is a returning team caption who is entering his fourth season as a starter with the Crimson Tide. Lawson is also coming off a career-year in 2024, one that was shortened by injury, where he had 76 tackles, seven TFL, two sacks, and an interception across 11 games played. Alabama has won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes the top defensive player in college football, only two times ever, which came in 2005 (DeMeco Ryans) and 2022 (Will Anderson Jr.). Last season's winner was Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Three Longhorns named to Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list
Three Longhorns named to Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list Preseason finalists for Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list revealed With the start of the college football season quickly approaching, excitement is building for what the Texas Longhorns will accomplish this year. Those expectations continued to build on Wednesday when three Longhorns landed on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list. That trio includes Colin Simmons, Anthony Hill Jr., and Michael Taaffe. Hill is coming off a stellar 2024 campaign in which he led the Longhorns in tackles with 103 and tackles for a loss with 16.5. While Hill continued to prove his value, he also received national recognition for his play. The Texas native was named a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Butkus awards. He also was named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week once. The talented linebacker got some help from Colin Simmons, who was stellar during his freshman campaign. He appeared in all 16 games, adding nine sacks to his resume. On a Longhorns defense that frustrated offensive coordinators, Simmons recorded 48 tackles and one interception. Due to his play, Simmons won the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year Award. Rounding out the list is Taaffe, who has become a staple in the Longhorns defense. The former walk-on played in every game last season. He finished second in total tackles with 78 and pass deflections with 10. During his time as a Longhorn, the Austin native has been a model of consistency, appearing in 43 games. He will look to help the Longhorns end their championship drought this season. Each year, the award is given to the student-athlete who makes an impact on and off the field. While the Longhorns trio have plenty of competition, they have a good chance to add to their trophy cases. The winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy will be announced in December. It would be no surprise for Simmons, Hill, or Taaffe to hear their names called when the winner is revealed.
