The Ohio State University’s Caleb Downs Named Winner of Lott IMPACT Trophy Presented by Allied Universal
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Dec. 7, 2025 — Caleb Downs from The Ohio State University has been named winner of the Lott IMPACT® Trophy presented by Allied Universal®. A junior safety for the Buckeyes, Downs is a reigning national champion and previous Lott Trophy finalist. He led the Buckeyes to another Big Ten title with the most interceptions and fourth most tackles in America’s top defense.
The announcement was made today at the 22nd annual Lott IMPACT Trophy Award event held at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif. Televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network, the awards presentation was hosted by Rick Neuheisel, renown football coach and analyst, alongside CBS Sports reporter Jordan Giorgio.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy presented by Allied Universal is awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football who exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.
Other finalists for the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy presented by Allied Universal included C.J. Allen (University of Georgia), Rueben Bain (University of Miami), and Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech University).
Downs joins James Laurinaitis (2008) as the second winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy presented by Allied Universal from The Ohio State University.
The four finalists were presented with commemorative Axia watches.
Previous Winners of the Lott IMPACT Trophy
2024 — Travis Hunter, University of Colorado
2023 — Junior Colson, University of Michigan
2022 — Will Anderson Jr., University of Alabama
2021 — Aidan Hutchinson, University of Michigan
2020 — Paddy Fisher, Northwestern University
2019 — Derek Brown, Auburn University
2018 — Josh Allen, University of Kentucky
2017 — Josey Jewell, University of Iowa
2016 — Jabrill Peppers, University of Michigan
2015 — Carl Nassib, Penn State University
2014 — Eric Kendricks, University of California, Los Angeles
2013 — Anthony Barr, University of California, Los Angeles
2012 — Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
2011 — Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2010 — J.J. Watt, University of Wisconsin
2009 — Jerry Hughes, Texas Christian University
2008 — James Laurinaitis, The Ohio State University
2007 — Glenn Dorsey, Louisiana State University
2006 — Dante Hughes, University of California, Berkley
2005 — DeMeco Ryans, University of Alabama
2004 — David Pollack, University of Georgia