Michigan LB Junior Colson wins Lott IMPACT Trophy
Michigan Wolverines football junior Junior Colson has been named the winner of the 2023 Lott IMPACT Trophy, handed to the defensive player that made the biggest “IMPACT” on his team.
The acronym stands for “integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.” The award is named after Ronnie Lott, a two-time All-American for USC who went on to win four Super Bowl titles with the San Francisco 49ers.
“The award is unique because it represents the first college football award to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college football award based on the West Coast,” the trophy’s website says.
Colson attended the trophy’s award show at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., Sunday evening. He’s Michigan’s third-ever winner, joining defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (2021) and Jabrill Peppers (2016). Former U-M Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson was presented with an honorary Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2021.
Colson was one of four finalists, along with UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu, Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner and Utah defensive lineman Jonah Elliss.
The award has been handed out annually since 2004 and is voted on by group of more than 300 former college players, coaches and media members. For earning the honor, Colson was granted a $25,000 donation from the Pacific Club to U-M’s general scholarship fund.
Colson is leading No. 1 Michigan with 79 tackles, 27 more than the next closest player, graduate linebacker Michael Barrett with 52. He’s added 2 tackles for loss, 2 pass breakups and 2 quarterback hurries.
The 6-foot-3, 247-pounder was named second-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media this season.
Colson was born and spent the first nine years of his life in Haiti, before moving to the United States. He was adopted by Steve and Melanie Colson, and attended Brentwood (Tenn.) Ravenwood, where he became a four-star, top-100 recruit.
The Wolverines have one of the nation’s most premier defenses, leading the FBS in scoring defense with 9.5 points allowed per game. They’re second in total defense and rushing defense, and sixth against the pass.
Michigan has posted multiple shutouts this season for the first time since 2015. The Wolverines blanked both Michigan State, 49-0, and Iowa in the Big Ten championship game, 26-0.
Colson is considered a 2024 NFL Draft prospect, with ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranking him the No. 7 linebacker for next spring’s draft in a Dec. 8 big board.
U-M will take on No. 4 Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl Jan. 1.
