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Kamari Ramsey and Eric Gentry named to 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List

Erik-McKinneyby:Erik McKinney•05/28/25•

ErikTMcKinney

USC safety Kamari Ramsey on the field during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers
USC safety Kamari Ramsey on the field during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers (acscottphotography/WeAreSC)

USC safety Kamari Ramsey and linebacker Eric Gentry were two of 42 college football standouts named to the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List on Wednesday.

The award is named after former USC and San Francisco 49ers safety Ronnie Lott, who is a member of both the College Football and NFL Halls of Fame. The Lott Trophy annually is awarded to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. It touts itself as the only national award to take character into account in choosing the recipient. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

The trophy has been awarded annually since 2004 and no USC Trojans has won it. UCLA became the first program with two recipients when linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks won it in 2013 and 2014. Michigan became the first program to win it three times with Junior Colson winning in 2023 to add to Lott IMPACT trophies won by Jabrill Peppers and Aidan Hutchinson.

Ramsey and Gentry were terrific for USC last season despite both missing time due to injury. Gentry played in just five games but led the Trojans in tackles for loss, with 6.5. Ramsey missed two games but finished just behind Gentry in tackles for loss and the two tied for third on the team with two sacks each. Ramsey made one of the plays of the season for the Trojans with a remarkable diving interception against Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl win.

Getting both back is huge for the Trojans and not guaranteed at the start of the 2024 season. Gentry elected to redshirt after suffering a concussion early in the season while Ramsey turned down an opportunity to enter the NFL Draft to come back and potentially captain this USC defense.

The winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy will be announced on Dec. 9 at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, one day before the National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner.  

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Garry Paskwietz (1966-2019)

Garry Paskwietz was a pioneer in bringing team-specific sports coverage to the internet. He founded WeAreSC in 1998 and was an Emmy winner for his work with Fox Sports West. Always generous with his time, knowledge, and compassion, he touched the lives of countless USC and high school football fans.

Garry Paskwietz