Josh Allen, the winner of the 2018 Lott IMPACT Trophy, is expected to be a Top 5 pick in this year’s NFL Draft April 25-27.
If he goes in the first four picks, he would be the highest drafted winner in the 15-year history of the Lott Trophy.
A prolific edge rusher from Kentucky, Allen is in high demand and could go as early as No. 2 in the country.
Glenn Dorsey of LSU is the highest drafted winner of the Lott. Dorsey won the award in 2007 and was the fifth overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2008.
The highest drafted Lott finalist was Chris Long of Virginia, who was chosen with the second pick in the 2008 draft by the St. Louis Rams.
Another first-round selection, Anthony Barr (winner of the Lott in 2013) recently signed a 5-year, $67.5 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, who chose him with the 9th overall pick in the 2014 draft out of UCLA. Barr has made the Pro Bowl five times.
Landon Collins (finalist in 2014 from Alabama) also signed a mega-contract recently. The former New York Giant got a 6-year $84 million deal from the Washington Redskins. He’s a three-time Pro Bowl selection.
Jabrill Peppers (2016 winner of the Lott from Michigan) was traded from Cleveland to the New York Giants for Odell Beckham Jr. Eric Berry (2009 finalist from Tennessee) was released by the Kansas City Chiefs after nine seasons and five Pro Bowls. Manti Te’o (2012 winner from Notre Dame) is also a free agent after playing the last two seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Ronnie Lott and Lott IMPACT Board Member Ann Meyers-Drysdale have been inducted into the Pac-12 Hall of Honor. Lott, of course, was an All-American defensive back at USC, and Meyers-Drysdale was an All-American basketball player at UCLA.