South Carolina defenders make preseason watch list for prestigious award
On Wednesday, a pair of South Carolina football defenders earned inclusion on the preseason watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Sophomore EDGE Dylan Stewart and junior defensive back Jalon Kilgore are two of 42 players to make the list.
The Lott Trophy goes to the nation’s top defensive player who also embodies the traits of Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, and Tenacity (IMPACT). In 2024, USC EDGE Kyle Kennard did not win the Lott Trophy but brought home the Nagurski Trophy, another National Defensive Player of the Year honor.
Last season, both Stewart and Kilgore picked up some All-SEC honors and should be in line for a strong 2025 campaign. With so much of South Carolina’s 2024 defensive talent off to the NFL, the duo are two of four returning starters on that side of the ball, joining safety DQ Smith and cornerback Judge Collier.
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From the South Carolina Athletics release:
University of South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart and defensive back Jalon Kilgore have been named to the 42-player watch list for the 2025 Lott IMPACT® Trophy, it was announced today.
The Watch List is composed of the top 42 defensive players in college football based on their IMPACT® on and off the field, as selected by the Lott IMPACT Trophy Board of Directors, for consideration ahead of the annual award presentation of the Lott Trophy each December.
Stewart, a 6-5, 245-pound sophomore from Washington, D.C., was a Freshman All-SEC and All-America performer in 2024, while being a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award. Stewart logged 10.5 tackles for loss including 6.5 sacks among his 23 tackles. He also forced three fumbles and recovered two in his first season with the Garnet & Black.
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Kilgore, a 6-1, 211-pound junior from Eatonton, Ga., was a Freshman All-SEC and All-American in 2023. Last season, the two-year starter tied for the SEC lead with five interceptions. Over his two years in Columbia, Kilgore has recorded 124 tackles with six interceptions and 11 pass breakups while primarily playing the Nickel position.
Established by The Pacific Club IMPACT® Foundation, The Lott IMPACT® Trophy, presented by Allied Universal, is awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive player, who also 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.
The Lott IMPACT® Trophy is unique because it represents the first college football trophy to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance. The Lott IMPACT® Trophy has become a symbol of the positive attributes many college athletes represent. Several LIT alumni have gone on to excel in areas outside of football including medicine, business, broadcasting and charitable work.
The Lott IMPACT® Trophy was named in honor of Ronnie Lott, a two time All-American for USC and College Football Hall of Fame Inductee. Ronnie Lott went on to win four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers, 10 trips to the Pro Bowl and a spot in Pro Football’s Hall of Fame. He was a leader who made an IMPACT® both on and off the field and continues to exemplify character in his personal life.
