NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced the 42 candidates for the 2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy at a luncheon today in Newport Beach, the 21st season of this award.
The 42-man Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List is comprised of 18 defensive backs, 13 defensive linemen and 11 linebackers. There are 13 players from SEC schools, the most of any conference, followed by the Big Ten with 12, while the ACC and Big 12 each have seven players on the watch list, to go with three from independents.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is the only major college football award that considers character. Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy annually goes to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, a player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career.
Ronnie Lott addressed those in attendance, while USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn was the keynote speaker at the luncheon. Lynn was joined by Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports.
The annual winner is selected by a national voter panel, consisting of former winners, members of the media, coaches, and members of the Board of Directors of The IMPACT Foundation.
The winner will be announced at a gala, black-tie event at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, CA on December 8.
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2024 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
David Bailey, LB, Stanford, Junior. 6-3, 240. Led Cardinal in tackles for loss with six and sacks with five last season. Economics major from Irvine, CA. California defensive player of the year out of Mater Dei HS.
Rueben Bain, DL, Miami, Sophomore. 6-3, 275. ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and Freshman All-American. Made 44 tackles, 12.5 for a loss, including 7.5 sacks. Was also an All-ACC third team selection. Also an Academic All-ACC member.
Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas. Senior. 5-11, 194. Second team All-Big 12 last season. Scored three non-offensive touchdowns, sixth most in program history, and was a Jim Thorpe award semifinalist. Twice has been named to Big 12 Commissioner’s Academic honor roll.
Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas, Senior, 6-0, 170. 2x All-Big 12 First team selection. Four interceptions (T-4 in Big 12) last season, Led Jayhawks to first Top 25 ranking in final AP poll since 2007.
Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State. Senior. 6-1, 193. First team All-Big Ten selection and third consecutive year of all-conference honors. Finished sixth in the Big Ten with 10 passes defended (one interception and nine passes broken up).
Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State, Junior. 6-3, 250. 1st Team All-Big Ten. Changing positions from linebacker to defensive end. Last season made 48 tackles (25 solo), 5.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, five pass breakups and five quarterback hurries
Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson, Senior. 6-1, 230. Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist last season, also All-ACC 2nd team. All-ACC academic. One of three FBS players to post 19 or more tackles for loss, 10+ passes defensed, multiple forced fumbles and multiple interceptions across the last two seasons.
Jeremiah Cooper, S, Iowa State. Junior. 6-0, 185. First team All-Big 12 selection last season, following Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2022. Academic All-Big 12 Rookie team and Big 12 commissioners honor roll. Five interceptions were second most in the conference and sixth nationally to go with 10 passes broken up.
Dontay Corleone, DL, Cincinnati, 6-1, 320. Nickname is “The Godfather.” Was an All-Big 12 selection last season after being named an All-American as a freshman in 2022. Graded as #3 interior defensive lineman by Pro Football Focus. Had 6.5 tackles for a loss with three sacks.
Howard Cross III, DT, Notre Dame, Graduate student. 6-1, 284. Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist, consensus All-American. Made 66 tackles (28 solo), seven for a loss, with two sacks. Plus he batted down two passes, had four quarterback hurries and forced two fumbles.
Tacario Davis, DB, Arizona, Junior. 6-4, Led the Pac 12 in passes defended (16) and passes broken up (15). All-Pac 12 honors each of last two seasons. Led Wildcats to fourth 10 win season in program history. From Long Beach, CA.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State. Junior. 6-5, 270. All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten member last season. Was a True Freshman All-American in 2022. Made 26 tackles (6 for a loss), 3.5 sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered another.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State. Sophomore. 6-0, 205. Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year. First team All-American (PFF). Transfer from Alabama. Led the Crimson Tide with 107 tackles, first time a freshman has ever led Alabama in tackling. Uncle is Dre Bly (2x Pro Bowl, Super Bowl champion). Father, Gary, also played in NFL.
Nick Emmanwori, CB, South Carolina. Junior. 6-3, 218. Academic Honor Roll. 2022 1st team Freshman All-American. 23 starts over last two seasons, 156 career tackles, two interceptions.
Tre Freeman, LB, Duke. Junior, 6-0, 231. Led the Blue Devils and finished sixth in the ACC with 106 tackles, 5.0 for a loss, with an interception and four passes broken up for all-conference honors.
Ashton Gillotte, DE, Louisville, Senior. 6-3, 275. All-America honors to go with an All-ACC selection and was on the Academic All-ACC squad. Semifinalist for Arthur Ashe Jr Sports Scholars award. 11.0 sacks ranked 8th nationally, to go with 45 tackles (14.5 for a loss).
Mason Graham, DT, Michigan. Junior. 6-3, 318. All-American, 1st team All-Big Ten, Rose Bowl Game Defensive MVP. Academic All-Big Ten. 7.5 tackles for a loss, with three sacks, three hurries, a pass breakup, forced a fumble and recovered another. Was LA Times High School Football Player of Year out of Servite HS.
Johnny Hodges, LB, TCU. Junior. 6-2, 240. 2023 Academic All-Big 12, limited to four games due to injury. 2022 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, 2nd Team All-Big 12, TCUs leading tackler (87, 9.5 for a loss). Began collegiate career at Navy.
Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado. Junior. 6-1, 185. Lott Trophy Semifinalist. Consensus 1st Team All-American. 1st Team All-Pac 12 as a defensive back, 2nd team as an all-purpose offensive player. Made 30 tackles, and tied had a team best three interceptions.
Landon Jackson, DE, Arkansas, Senior, 6-7, 282. Named to All-SEC team last season after compiling 13.5 tackles for a loss, with 6.5 sacks. Graded by Pro Football Focus as eighth best edge rusher in SEC last season.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan. Junior. 6-2, 202. Defensive MVP of National Championship Game. 1st Team All-American. 1st Team All-Big Ten. Recorded 27 tackles (1.0 for a loss), with four interceptions (one returned for a TD) and eight pass breakups.
Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama. Junior. 6-2, 230. Alabama’s second leading tackler (67, 5.5 for a loss) despite missing three games due to injury. Was a semifinalist for the Butkus award. Made six tackles and broke up two passes in the Rose Bowl Game.
Jacob Manu, LB, Arizona. Junior, 5-11. Was the Pac 12’s leading tackler (116, 45 solo) last season and was a 1st team All-Pac 12 selection. Declined Ivy League offers out of Servite HS in Anaheim, CA to attend University of Arizona.
Malachi Moore, S, Alabama. Graduate student. 6-0, 198. Team captain who made to tackles (five for a loss), with five passes broken up and an interception. Has been a starter since his freshman season. Was on Lott Trophy Watch List last season, as well as Wuerffel Trophy Watch List for community service.
Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame. Junior. 6-0, 186. Led team with 10 pass breakups. Has nine career interceptions, second most among Fighting Irish players since 1996. Thorpe Award semifinalist. Knute Rockne Student-Athlete engagement award. Has four siblings, all of which are collegiate athletes.
Jabbar Muhammad, CB, Oregon. Senior. 5-10, 183. Transfer from Washington. Last season he broke up 16 passes, a school record, most in Pac 12 and tied for second in the nation. All-Pac 12 selection. Was an All-Big 12 player at Oklahoma State prior to transfer to Washington.
Andrew Mukuba, S, Texas. Senior. 6-0, 186. Transfer from Clemson. 149 career tackles (4.5 for loss), one sack, 20 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one interception in 35 games. Freshman All-American in 2021. Raised in Austin, TX. Born in Zimbabwe, moved to America at 9 years old.
James Pearce, DE, Tennessee. Junior. 6-5, 242. First Team All-SEC. SEC’s returning statistical leader in both tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (12). Graded by Pro Football Focus as top DE in SEC, #4 in nation. Also has 58 QB pressures, per PFF.
Harold Perkins, LB, LSU. Junior. 6-1, 220. 2x All-SEC and 2x SEC Academic Honor Roll. Freshman All-American in 2022. Has led team in tackles for a loss in each of the last two seasons (26 total) to go with 13 sacks in 27 career games.
D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana. Sophomore. 5-9, 162. Transfer from James Madison. Freshman All-American. Named Freshman Cornerback of the Year by College Football Network. 15 passes broken up last season, 11th most nationally.
Colin Ramos, LB, Navy. Senior. 5-11, 209. All-AAC first team selection last season after leading Navy with 110 tackles, and was second on the team with 8 tackles for a loss. Had a career high 16 tackles against Army. Named a team captain for 2024.
Kamari Ramsey, S, USC. Sophomore. 6-0, 204. Transfer from UCLA. Recorded 40 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, broke up 5 passes and had an interception as a redshirt freshman for the Bruins. Pac 12 Honor Roll student. 3x UCLA Athletic Directors Honor Roll.
Kaimon Rucker, DE, North Carolina. 6-2, 265. All-ACC pick after leading the Tar Heels (and 4th in the ACC) with 15 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks. 41 QB pressures, per Pro Football Focus, were 7th most in nation.
Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M. Junior. 6-4, 280. Transferred from Purdue. All Big Ten selection in 2023 after leading the conference in sacks (10), to go with 15 tackles for a loss, 50 total, and 28 quarterback hurries.
Quinn Schulte, S, Iowa. Graduate Student. 6-1, 209. All-Big Ten honorable mention. 5x Academic All-Big Ten. Academic All-American. National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society inductee.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia. Junior, 6-1, 205. Consensus 1st Team All-American last season, after being a Freshman All-American the season prior. 1st team All-SEC and Nagurski and Thorpe Award Finalist. Made three interceptions and broke up seven passes while starting every game for the Bulldogs.
Danny Stutsman, LB, Oklahoma. Senior. 6-4, 241. All-American and All-Big 12 selection last season, where he led the Sooners with 104 tackles. Averaged 1.5 tackles for a loss per game in regular season, 8th most in FBS. Was Big 12s leading tackler in 2022.
Dillon Thieneman, S, Purdue. Sophomore. 6-0, 205. National Defensive Freshman of the Year (FWAA) in 2023, to go with All-America honors and was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Six interceptions and 74 solo tackles were third most in the country. Engineering major.
JT Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State. Senior. 6-5, 269. Two-time first team All-Big Ten. Has made 45 tackles (15.0 for a loss) with six sacks, five QB hurries and 5 pass breakups in his careeer.
Deone Walker, DL, Kentucky, Junior, 6-6, 348. All-American, First team All-SEC, and a team captain for the Wildcats last season, where he led the team in tackles for loss (12.5), sacks (7.5), and QB hurries (8). Was a Freshman All-American in the 2022 season.
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia, Junior. 6-2, 245. Led the Bulldogs in sacks (5) last season. Career high two sacks in SEC title game vs Alabama. Broke up a pass with four QB hurries as a freshman in the National Championship game in January 2023.
Marlowe Wax, LB, Syracuse. Senior. 6-1, 230. Two-time All-ACC selection who led the Orange in tackles (110), tackles for loss (11.5), and forced fumbled (4) last season. Eight career forced fumbles are second in Syracuse history only to Dwight Freeney. Season long team captain.
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