2023
Junior Colson, Michigan (Winner) Third round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers
Jonah Elliss, Utah (Finalist) Third round pick by the Denver Broncos
Laiatu Latu, UCLA (Finalist) 15th overall pick in the 1st round by Indianapolis Colts
Dallas Turner, Alabama (Finalist) 17th overall pick in the 1st round by Minnesota Vikings
2022
Will Anderson Jr. LB, Alabama (Winner) Third overall pick in draft, star ting for Houston Texans
Felix Anudike-Uzomah
Kansas State (Finalist) First-round pick of Kansas City Chiefs
Tommy Eichenberg
Ohio State (Finalist) Returned to Ohio State for senior season.
Tuli Tuipulotu USC (Finalist) Second-round pick of Los Angeles Chargers.
2021
Aidan Hutchinson DL, Michigan (Winner) was chosen 2nd overall by the Detroit Lions.
Jordan Davis NT, Georgia (Finalist) was 13th pick of the 1st round by the Philadelphia Eagles
Nakobe Dean LB, Georgia (Finalist) was chosen in the 3rd round when he went to Philadelphia to join Bulldog teammate Davis.
Devin Lloyd LB, Utah (Finalist) was the 27th pick in the first round when he was chosen by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2020
Paddy Fisher (Northwestern, Winner)
Undrafted, signed with the Carolina Panthers, now with the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad.
Patrick Surtain II (Alabama, Finalist)
1st round (9th overall), Denver Broncos.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Notre Dame, Finalist)
2nd round (52nd overall), Cleveland Browns.
Joseph Ossai (Texas, Finalist)
3rd round (69th overall), Cincinnati Bengals.
Talanoa Hufanga (USC, Finalist)
5th round (180th overall), San Francisco 49ers.
Tarron Jackson (Coastal Carolina, Finalist)
6th round (191st overall), Philadelphia Eagles.
2019
DERRICK BROWN (Auburn, Winner) Drafted by the Panthers with the seventh pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
COLE CHRISTIANSEN (Army, Finalist) Christiansen signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent.
JORDAN FULLER (Ohio State, Finalist) Drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the sixth round.
BRANDON JONES (Texas, Finalist) Selected by the Miami Dolphins in the third round.
2018
Josh Allen (Kentucy, Winner)
Selected 7th in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Defensive End for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ben Burr-Kirven (Washington, Finalist)
Linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks.
Ben Humphreys (Duke, Finalist)
Recipient of National Football Foundation scholarship.
Christian Wilkins (Clemson, Finalist)
Selected 13th in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Defensive Tackle for the Miami Dolphins.
2017
Josey Jewel (Iowa, Winner)
Drafted by the Denver Broncos, he’s been an integral part of the team defense as a rookie.
Harrison Phillips (Stanford, Finalist)
A 3rd-round pick by the Buffalo Bills, he signed a 4-year-contract with the team.
Micah Kiser (Virginia, Finalist)
Selected by the Rams in the 5th round.
Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama, Finalist)
A first-round selection by the Miami Dolphins, he’s played both safety and cornerback as a rookie.
2016
Jabrill Peppers (Michigan, Winner)
Starting safety for Cleveland Browns. Also returns punts and kickoffs. Has 39 tackles in first 10 games.
Jonathan Allen (Alabama, Finalist)
Starting defensive end for the Washington Redskins, who drafted him in first round in 2017.
Adoree’ Jackson (USC, Finalist)
Starting cornerback for the Tennessee Titans. Has 50 tackles.
Weston Steelhammer (Air Force, Finalist)
Now a logistics officer with the Air Force in San Antonio. Tried out for the Eagles in spring, but must serve two years with Air Force before he can play in the NFL.
2015
Carl Nassib (Penn State, Winner)
Starting defensive end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Jeremy Cash (Duke, Finalist)
Linebacker for Arizona Cardinals.
Tyler Matakevich (Temple, Finalist)
Linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Joshua Perry (Ohio State, Finalist)
Retired from the NFL after multiple concussions.
2014
Eric Kendricks (UCLA, Winner)
Starting linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings.
Landon Collins (Alabama, Finalist)
Starting strong safety for the Giants.
Hau’oli Kikaha (Washington, Finalist)
Former starting linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.
David Helton (Duke, Finalist)
Pursuing business interests in Boston.
2013
Anthony Barr (UCLA, Winner)
Starting linebacker for the
Minnesota Vikings.
Chris Borland (Wisconsin, Finalist)
Retired after one season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Devon Kennard (USC, Finalist)
Starting linebacker for the Detroit Lions.
James Morris (Iowa, Finalist)
Former linebacker of the Dallas Cowboys.
2012
Manti Te’o (Notre Dame, Winner)
Starting linebacker for the New Orleans Saints.
Jarvis Jones (Georgia, Finalist)
Played with three different NFL teams — Jacksonville, New York Jets and Seattle. Now a free agent.
Chase Thomas (Stanford, Finalist)
Working in Dallas for virtual marketing firm.
Arthur Brown (Kansas State, Finalist)
Former reserve linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
2011
Luke Kuechly (Boston College, Winner)
Named NFL Rookie of the Year in 2012 and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2014.
Manti Te’o (Notre Dame, Finalist)
Returned to Notre Dame and had an All-American senior season.
Dont’a Hightower (Alabama, Finalist)
Starting linebacker for the New England Patriots.
Emmanuel Acho (Texas, Finalist)
Played with Philadelphia Eagles before an injury. Now an analyst with ESPN.
2010
J.J. Watt (Wisconsin, Winner)
Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year with the Houston Texans. He is the president and founder of the Justin J. Watt Foundation, a charity organization that provides after-school opportunities for children in various communities, in order for them to get involved in athletics in a safe environment.
Patrick Peterson (LSU, Finalist)
Seven-time Pro Bowl player with 23 career interceptions with the Arizona Cardinals.
Sam Acho (Texas, Finalist)
Starting linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
Casey Matthews (Oregon, Finalist)
Played four years with the Philadelphia Eagles.
2009
Jerry Hughes (TCU, Winner)
Has 44.5 sacks with Indianapolis and Buffalo, his current team.
Eric Berry (Tennessee, Finalist)
All-Pro safety for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska, Finalist)
Starting defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams.
Rolando McClain (Alabama, Finalist)
Has played for the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys.
2008
James Laurinaitis
(Ohio State, Winner)
Former Pro Bowl player with Rams, is now an analyst with the Big Ten network.
Brian Orakpo (Texas, Finalist)
Has 417 tackles, 65.5 sacks in career with Redskins and Titans.
Aaron Curry (Wake Forest, Finalist)
Now a coach with Charlotte Country Day School.
Myron Rolle (Florida State, Finalist)
After graduating from Oxford, he now heads his own foundation which focuses on health, wellness and education for children and their families throughout the world. Currently in medical school.
2007
Glenn Dorsey (LSU, Winner)
Played nine seasons with Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
James Laurinaitis (Ohio State, Finalist)
Former Pro Bowl player with Rams, is now an analyst with the Big Ten network.
Chris Long (Virginia, Finalist)
Won a Super Bowl with Patriots in 2016 and again with the Eagles in 2017. Has donated his salary this year for education in hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia.
Jeremy Leman (Illinois, Finalist)
Now a successful businessman after completing his degree from Illinois.
2006
Dante Hughes (Cal, Winner)
Played five seasons in the NFL. Has created his own non-profit foundation in Northern California.
Quinn Pitcock (Ohio State, Finalist)
Played in both the NFL and the Arena Football League.
Paul Posluszny (Penn State, Finalist)
Finished his 11-year career with 1, 213 tackles and 15 interceptions.
2005
DeMeco Ryans (Alabama, Winner)
Became one of the top linebackers in the NFL with the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles. He retired at the end of the 2015 season. He is now coaching with the San Francisco 49ers and is on the Lott IMPACT® Trophy Board of Directors.
Darryl Tapp (Virginia Tech, Finalist)
Played for six different teams in 11 seasons.
A.J. Hawk (Ohio State, Finalist)
Played 11 seasons with two teams, won a Super Bowl with Packers. Now heads the Hawk Family Foundation, dedicated to helping pediatric cancer patients.
2004
David Pollack (Georgia, Winner)
Retired from football after serious neck injury, he was a first round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals. He’s now an accomplished college football broadcaster on ESPN and a member of the Lott IMPACT® Trophy Advisory Board.
Derrick Johnson (Texas, Finalist)
Has started for Kansas City for 13 seasons and recorded more than 1,000 tackles. He has made the Pro Bowl and been named All-Pro in his career.
Jim Leonhard (Wisconsin, Finalist)
Following distinguished 10-year NFL career, he is now the defensive coordinator at his alma mater. He is a member of the Lott IMPACT® Trophy Board of Advisors.