NEWPORT BEACH, CA – Josh Allen, the winner of the 2018 Lott IMPACT Trophy, became the seventh winner of the award to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft when he was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the 7th overall pick in the first round on April 25.
Moments later, Christian Wilkins, a finalist for the Lott Trophy, joined Allen as a first-round pick, being chosen by the Miami Dolphins 13th overall. Allen starred at Kentucky, Wilkins with National Champion Clemson.
Allen had a monster senior season at Kentucky with 17 sacks among his 88 tackles. He is the highest drafted Lott winner since Glenn Dorsey of LSU was chosen No. 5 by Kansas City in 2007.
Wilkins was one of three Clemson defensive linemen chosen in the first round. An All-American, he graduated from Clemson in 2 ½ years.
Ben Burr-Kirven of Washington, another finalist, was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round. Burr-Kirven led the nation in tackles with 176 as a senior.
The fourth Lott Trophy finalist Ben Humphreys of Duke is expected to pursue a career in coaching.
Lott IMPACT Trophy Winners picked in first round:
David Pollack (Georgia, 2004 winner) – First Round, No. 17 (Cincinnati)
Glenn Dorsey (LSU, 2007 winner) – First Round, No. 5 (Kansas City)
J.J. Watt (Wisconsin, 2010 winner) – First Round, No. 11 (Houston)
Luke Kuechly (Boston College, 2011 winner) – First Round, No. 9 (Carolina)
Anthony Barr (UCLA, 2013 winner) – First Round, No. 9 (Minnesota)
Jabrill Peppers (Michigan, 2016 winner) – First Round No. 25 (Cleveland)
Joshua Allen (Kentucky, 2018 winner) – First Round, No. 7 (Jacksonville)
IMPACT FOUNDATION TO MAKE DONATIONS TO HIGH SCHOOLS
As part of its continuing pledge to make the game of football better and safer for all ages, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, the sponsors of the annual Lott IMPACT Trophy, will be making financial donations to four high school football programs in Southern California and various youth football programs.
The high school football programs that will each receive $5,000 are Fullerton High School, Carson High School, Crenshaw High School and Venice High School.
The presentations will be made May 17 at the annual Lott IMPACT Trophy luncheon to announce the 2019 Watch List at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach.