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, renowned 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.
December 7, 2025
by Lott IMPACT Trophy
