The watch list for the 2020 Lott Impact Trophy has been released and Wisconsin junior linebacker Jack Sanborn is a member of the list.
Our guy's ready to work @JackSanborn79 😤#OnWisconsin » #Badgers pic.twitter.com/fbTDCN83r1
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) June 18, 2020
The trophy–one first awarded to Georgia linebacker David Pollack in 2004–is given to the defensive IMPACT player of the year, with IMPACT being an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Were Sanborn to receive the honor he would become the first Badger to do so, and the second ever, after J.J. Watt was the recipient in 2010.
Other notable names on the list of winners include Alabama and long-time Philadelphia Eagle linebacker DeMeco Ryans, Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, UCLA linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, Michigan linebacker/safety Jabrill Peppers and most recently Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown.
Sanborn enters his junior season after leading the team with 80 tackles last year but without fellow defensive stars in Chris Orr and Zack Baun alongside him. If his production from his first year as a starter is any indication, the Deer Park, Illinois native could be in for an impressive campaign as the quarterback and leader of Jim Leonhard’s defense.