Lott IMPACT Trophy candidates announced for 2022 season

The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has officially announced the 42 candidates for the 2022 Lott IMPACT Trophy Thursday afternoon, according to a press release. The Lott IMPACT Trophy is the only major college football award that considers character and includes some of the top names in college football.

“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,” the release wrote.  “IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career.”

Here are a majority of the initial Lott IMPACT Trophy candidates for the 2022 college football season.

• Will Anderson Jr. | Alabama | LB
• J.J. Weaver | Kentucky | LB
• Henry To’oTo’o | Alabama | LB
• Jeremy Banks | Tennessee | LB
• Jordan Battle | Alabama | DB
• Rashad Torrence II | Florida | CB
• J.D. Bertrand | Notre Dame | LB
• Noah Sewell | Oregon | LB
• Troy Brown | Ole Miss | LB
• B.J. Ojulari | LSU | DE
• Riley Moss | Iowa | DB
• Kris Abrams-Draine | Missouri | DB
• Bryan Bresee | Clemson | DT
• Jack Campbell | Iowa | LB
• Jalen Carter | Georgia | DT
• Levani Damuni | Stanford | LB
• Nick Figueroa | USC | DL
• Tony Grimes | North Carolina | CB
• Derick Hall | Auburn | DL
• Zach Harrison | Ohio State | DE
• Xavier Henderson | Michigan State | S
• Nick Herbig | Wisconsin | LB
• Shaka Heyward | Duke | LB
• Ronnie Hickman | Ohio State | S
• Antonio Johnson | Texas A&M | CB
• Brandon Joseph | Notre Dame | S
• Key Lawrence | Oklahoma | DB
• Akheem Mesidor | Miami | DL
• Joey Porter | Penn State | CB
• Kelee Ringo | Georgia | CB
• Trenton Simpson | Clemson | LB
• Zion Tupuola-Fetui | Washington | DE

The list of candidates are made up of 15 linebackers, 14 defensive backs and 13 defensive linemen, including the top two national sack leaders from last year in Will Anderson Jr. (17.5 sacks) and Andre Carter II of Army (15.5.)

The annual winner is selected by a national voter panel, which consists of former winners, media, college coaches, and members of the Board of Directors of The IMPACT Foundation. The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Ca. will host the award ceremony to name the winner on Dec. 11.

Last season, it was Michigan superstar edge rusher-turned No. 2 overall draft pick Aidan Hutchinson that claim the honors. He became the second Wolverine to earn the award, the first of which being Jabrill Peppers in 2016. The other finalists for the award were Nakobe Dean (Georgia), Devin Lloyd (Utah) and Jordan Davis (Georgia).

For the complete list of 42 candidates, click here.