Four months after being awarded the Lott IMPACT® Trophy in Southern California, Junior Colson will now call California home as he was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 69th overall, reuniting with head coach Jim Harbaugh.
The Michigan linebacker led the Wolverines with 95 tackles, 30 more than the next closest teammate, to go with 2.0 tackles for a loss, two passes broken up, and two quarterback hurries.
Before winning a national championship as the anchor of the Michigan defense, Colson also shined in SoCal in the Rose Bowl Game where he led the Wolverines with 10 tackles in a 27-20 win over Alabama. Colson added six more tackles in the National Championship Game, as Michigan defeated Washington 34-13.
All four 2023 Lott IMPACT® Trophy finalists were selected in the first three rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft, including two in the first round. UCLA linebacker Laiatu Latu was the first defensive player selected, 15th overall, by Indianapolis. Dallas Turner from Alabama was picked 17th by Minnesota. Like Colson, Utah’s Jonah Elliss was a third round selection in the Draft, 76th overall by Denver.
Named for Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, the Lott IMPACT® Trophy goes to the collegiate defensive player who has made the biggest IMPACT® on his team. IMPACT® stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.