Penn State puts pair of defenders on initial Lott IMPACT trophy watch list
The closing of both spring practice and the April transfer portal window are the first steps on the path to a new college football season. The second is the announcement of kick times, like the primetime Penn State-West Virginia matchup that is set for 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 at Beaver Stadium. After those two comes another rite of passage in May and the early part of the summer: Watch list season.
For those who are unaware, the various entities that hand out the sport’s numerous postseason awards will pick a group of candidates long before the first games are played in a given year, and even longer before the honoree is selected. This year, the Lott IMPACT Trophy committee was the first to release a list of names it will consider. Forty-two players are on it. A pair of Penn State players are among them. And, both are expected to help lead the Lions’ defense this fall.
Lions cornerback Kalen King and linebacker Abdul Carter made the first cut.
King is a preseason All-American and the darling of many NFL Draft media members. They think he’ll be a first-round pick after electing to leave school early following the 2023 season. First, though, he will step into the top spot in position coach Terry Smith’s room.
Carter, then, was an All-Big Ten pick a year ago and will receive plenty of his own preseason accolades, as well. He and current Lions defensive line coach Deion Barnes are the only PSU freshmen ever to record 10-plus tackles for loss and six-plus sacks in a season. Carter had 10.5 and 6.5 a year ago, respectively.
Penn State has Lott IMPACT Trophy history
According to its website, the Lott IMPACT Trophy is college football’s only postseason award that “considers character.” The website goes on to add that:
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“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.
“IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career.”
The LOTT Impact Trophy has been awarded annually since 2004, when current ESPN analyst David Pollack was the inaugural winner. One former Penn State player has earned the trophy: Carl Nassib. He earned the 2015 honor.
