Texas defensive backs Andrew Mukuba and Jahdae Barron were named to the watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy on Thursday, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced.
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The Lott IMPACT Trophy is the only major college football award that considers character, according to the award’s website. It is named after former NFL 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 is short for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Mukuba, a transfer from Clemson, is entering his first season at Texas. A product of LBJ High School in Austin, Mukuba arrives with 149 tackles, 4.5 for loss, one sack, 20 PBU, two fumble recoveries, and an interception. He started 31 games during three years with the Tigers and appeared in 35. He was a freshman All-American in 2021 along with being named the ACC defensive rookie of the year. He was a third-team All-ACC selection in 2021.
Barron, a fifth-year senior, has played in 41 games with 23 starts. He was a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist in 2023 and was also named to the All-Big 12 second team. He played in 14 games with 12 starts during the most recent season, registering 61 tackles, 4.5 for loss, one interception, one fumble recovery, and seven pass breakups. He’s tallied three interceptions, 160 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, 16 passes defended, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in his career.
No Longhorn has won the Lott IMPACT Trophy but six Texas football players have been named finalists: Derrick Johnson (2004), Brian Orakpo (2008), Sam Acho (2010), Emmanuel Acho (2011), Brandon Jones (2019), Joseph Ossai (2020).
Michigan’s Junior Colson won the award in 2023.
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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, per release. The winner will be announced on December 8.
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