Auburn’s Winters wins Week 1 Lott IMPACT® Trophy Player of the Week honors
Auburn safety had the game saving tackle to beat Baylor in Week 1.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Sep. 9, 2026 — The Lott IMPACT Trophy presented by Allied Universal® announced today Eric Winters, a safety from Auburn University, has been named Player of the Week for Week 1 of the 2026 college football season.
Winters made the game saving tackle on Baylor’s two-point conversion attempt, one of his career best 11 tackles, along with two tackles for a loss. Winters also forced a fumble in the Tigers 17-16 victory.
A sophomore studying in the College of Business, Winters returned to Auburn for this season after being the Tigers leading freshman tackler last year.
Player of the Week winners are determined by an internal vote of former players, coaches and Lott IMPACT Trophy board members, in conjunction with a fan vote on social media.
The winner of the 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy presented by Allied Universal will be announced on December 9, in Newport Beach, Calif.
Other nominees for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, presented by Allied Universal, Player of the Week in Week 1.
Ta’Shawn James, UCLA, SR, DB- Had two interceptions with eight tackles in Bruins 45-24 win at Cal.
Alex McLaughlin, Washington, SR, S- Made six tackles, five solo, including one for a loss to go with an interception in 24-10 win over Washington State in Apple Cup.
Jordan Ross, LSU, JR, DE- Interception returned for a touchdown to go with four tackles, two for a loss, including a sack in Tigers 51-10 win over Clemson