The Lott IMPACT Trophy announced its 42-member preseason watchlist on Thursday, headlined a group of star-studded defenders across the country. In its 20th season, the Lott IMPACT Trophy considers on-field play and high character as two of its major facets for consideration.
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watchlist, 2023
In alphabetical order, the first preseason watchlist of the year gives viewers some of the top defensive players from all corners of the country.
- Jaishawn Barham, LB, Maryland
- Chico Bennett, EDGE, Virginia
- Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas
- Calen Bullock, CB, USC
- Jordan Burch, DE, Oregon
- Ben Bywater, LB, BYU
- Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State
- Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
- DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke
- Josh Celiscar, EDGE, UCF
- Mason Cobb, LB, USC
- Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
- Tommy Eichenberg, LB, Ohio State
- Justin Flowe, LB, Arizona
- Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
- Marcus Fuqua, S, Buffalo
- Cedric Gray, LB, North Carolina
- Johnny Hodges, LB, TCU
- Ty’Ron Hopper, LB, Missouri
- Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
- Patrick Jenkins, DT, Tulane
- Will Johnson, DB, Michigan
- Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami
- Kalen King, CB, Penn State
- Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
- Dwight McGlothern, DB, Arkansas
- Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
- Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
- Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame
- Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
- Josh Newton, CB, TCU
- Collin Oliver, EDGE, Oklahoma State
- Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
- Karen Reid, LB, Utah
- Maason Smith, DT, LSU
- Malaki Starks, S, Alabama
- Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma
- Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington
- J.T. Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
- Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
- Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky
- Nathaniel Watson, LB, Mississippi State
Named after Ronnie Lott, the Lott IMPACT Trophy is annually given to the defensive player who makes the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. Per the release, IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity.
The winner will be selected by a national voting panel of former winners, media members, and a Board of Directors at the IMPACT Foundation.
