The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced today that Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and linebacker Trenton Simpson have been named as two of 42 candidates placed on the 2022 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. Additional information from award organizers is included below.
NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced the 42 candidates for the 2022 Lott IMPACT Trophy at a luncheon today in Newport Beach.
Alabama has three candidates this year – Will Anderson Jr., Henry To’oTo’o and Jordan Battle – while five other schools each have two candidates – Georgia, Notre Dame, Clemson, Iowa and Ohio State.
There are 15 linebackers, 14 defensive backs and 13 defensive linemen on this year’s Watch List. The top two players in the nation in sacks last year are both on the list – Will Anderson Jr. of Alabama, who had 17.5 sacks and Andre Carter II of Army who had 15.5.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy is the only major college football award that considers character.
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 annual winner is selected by a national voter panel, consisting of former winners, members of the media, coaches, and members of the Board of Directors of The IMPACT Foundation.
The winner is announced at a gala black-tie event at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Ca. The event has been sold out the first two years. The 2022 banquet will be Dec. 11.
Retiring Ram tackle Andrew Whitworth, the Walter Payton Man of the Year, was the keynote speaker at the luncheon.
The 2022 Lott IMPACT® Trophy Watch List:
KRIS ABRAMS-DRAINE, DB, Missouri, Jr., 5-11, 178, Mobile, Al.: All-SEC selection as a sophomore; Defended 10 passes with 3 interceptions and had a 100-yard kickoff return for a TD; Played wide receiver as a freshman.NICK ANDERSEN, S, Wake Forest, So., 5-11, 185, Clifton, Va.: Repeat on the Watch List; 4 interceptions in season, 3 in one game; former walk-on; All-ACC Academic honors.
WILL ANDERSON Jr., LB, Alabama, Jr.,6-4, 243, Hampton, Ga.: Nagurski winner last year; Unanimous AA; SEC Defensive POY; Cotton Bowl MVP; Led nation with 34.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks.
FELIX ANUDIKE-UZOMAH, DE, Kansas State, Jr., 6-4, 253, Kansas City: 3rd team Al-American; All-Big-12; Big 12 Co-Lineman of the Year; 11 sacks.
JEREMY BANKS, LB, Tennessee, Sr., 6-1, 224, Cordova, Tenn.; Among leading tacklers in the nation with 128 last year along with 11.5 tackles for losses.
JORDAN BATTLE, DB, Alabama, Jr.,6-1, 206, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.; All-American last year; 182 career tackles, 86 in 2021; Returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
KYON BARRS, DL, Arizona, Jr., 6-3, 297, Murrieta, Ca.; All-Pac-12 second team; 8 tackles for loss and team high 5 sacks.
JD BERTRAND, LB, 6-1, 230, Notre Dame, Jr., Alpharetta, Ga.: Leading tackler for Irish last season with 101; President of the Notre Dame chapter of Uplifting Athletes, a philanthropic organization that raises monies for athletes with rare diseases.
BRYAN BRESEE, DT, Clemson, Jr., 6-5, 300, Damascus, Md.: No. 1 recruit in the country in 2019; Pre-season All-American.
TROY BROWN, LB. Ole Miss, Sr., 6-1, 220, Flint, Mich.: Transfer from Central Michigan where he was a 3-time All MAC selection, team MVP and team captain; Has 215 career tackles.
BEN BYWATER, LB, BYU, So., 6-3, 230, Salt Lake City; All Academic honors; 102 tackles led team; 8.5 tackles for losses.
JACK CAMPBELL, LB, Iowa, Jr., 6-5, 243, Cedar Falls, Ia.; Led nation in tackles with 143 in 2021; Dean’s List; Iowa Leadership team.
ANDRE CARTER II, DE, Army, Sr. 6-7, 250, Missouri City, Texas; Pre-season and returning All-American; Had 18.5 tackles for loss last year, 15.5 sacks, 2nd in the country, Team MVP.
JALEN CARTER, DT, Georgia, Jr. 6-3, 310, Apopka, Fl.: Compared favorably to former Apopka standout Warren Sapp; All-SEC performer with 33 quarterback hurries last season, Projected high draft choice.
LEVANI DAMUNI, LB, Stanford, Jr., 6-2, 251, Providence, Utah: Led team with 88 tackles; Has done Mormon mission; Majoring in Science, Technology and Society.
NICK FIGUEROA, DL, USC, 6-5, 275, San Bernardino: 11.5 career tackles for loss; Graduate student with 3.57 GPA; Academic All-American (2nd team); Campbell Semi-finalist.
TONY GRIMES, CB, North Carolina, Jr. 6-0, 197, Virginia Beach; All-ACC Honorable Mention; 47 tackles’ Projected first round selection.
DERICK HALL, DL, Auburn, Sr., 6-3, 256, Gulfport, Ms.; 54 tackles, 12.5 for losses, 9 sacks, High school honor student.
ZACH HARRISON, DE, Ohio State, Sr., 6-6, 272, Lewis Center, Ohio: On Watch List last year; All-Big Ten (second team); OSU Scholar Athlete; 17.5 career tackles for losses
XAVIER HENDERSON, S, Michigan State, Sr., 6-1, 210, Reynoldsburg, Oh.: Graduated in December with degree in communications; Team captain; All-Big Ten (3rd team); 33 consecutive starts; 10 tackles for loss last year.
NICK HERBIG, LB, Wisconsin, Jr., 6-2, 227, Kauai, Hawaii: Top returner on No. 1 defense in country last year; Had 64 tackles, 14.5 for losses and 9 sacks.
SHAKA HEYWARD, LB, Duke, Sr., 6-4, 220, Dacula, Georgia: On Watch List last year; 148 career tackles; majoring in evolutionary anthropology.
RONNIE HICKMAN, S, Ohio State, Jr., 6-1, 205, South Orange, NJ.: Led Buckeyes with 99 tackles last season; All-American lacrosse player in high school.
NICK JACKSON, LB, Virginia, Sr., 6-1, 236, Atlanta; Led ACC with 117 tackles, All-ACC (2nd team); Team captain.
ANTONIO JOHNSON, CB, Texas A&M, So. 6-3, 200, East St. Louis, Ill: All-SEC, 79 tackles, 8.5 tackles for losses
BRANDON JOSEPH, S, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-1, 192, College Station, Texas: Transfer from Northwestern; Consensus All-American; Had 6 interceptions as Frosh; Academic All-State in high school
CALIJAH KANCEY, DL, Pitt, Jr. 6-0, 275, Miami: 13 tackles for loss: All Conference selection; Aaron Donald (Pitt All-American) type player with physique and drive.
KEY LAWRENCE, S-CB, Oklahoma, 6-1, 208, Nashville: No. 1 recruit from state of Tennessee; All-Big 12 honorable mention; 47 tackles, 3 forced fumbles.
WILL McDONALD IV, DE, Iowa State, Jr., 6-4, 245, Pewaukee, Wi.: Made several A-American teams in 2021; Big-12 co-Defensive Lineman of the Year; 11.5 sacks school record; All-Big 12 academic honors; Same hometown as JJ Watt.
AKHEEM MESIDOR, DL, Miami, Jr., 6-2, 270, Ottawa: All-Big 12 3rd team; All-Big 12 Academic 2nd team; Big 12 Honor Roll; 70 career tackles.
RILEY MOSS, DB, Iowa, Sr., 6-1, 194, Ankeny, Ia.; Sporting News All-American; 10 career interceptions, 3 for touchdowns; Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2021.
BJ OJULARI, DE, LSU, Jr., 6-3, 245, Marietta, Ga.: 11,5 tackles for losses, 55 tackles total last year; 325 high school tackles; Projected first round pick
JOEY PORTER Jr., CB, Penn State, Jr., 6-2, 196, Bakersfield; All-Big Ten 3rd team; 51 tackles, Father Joey Sr. was a 13-year NFL vet and former coach.
LUKE REIMER, LB, Nebraska, Jr., 6-1, 225, Lincoln: Led Huskers with 108 tackles; Nebraska Linebacker of the Year; Academic All-Big Ten.
KELEE RINGO, CB, Georgia, Jr., 6-2, 205, Tacoma, Wa.: All-American; Had interception for touchdown in National Championship win over Alabama.
DANIEL SCOTT, S, Cal, Sr., 6-2, 205, Pasadena: Grad student with degree in sociology and business certificate in business administration; All-Pac-12 performer; In 6th year on team.
NOAH SEWELL, LB, Oregon, So., 6-3, 256, American Samoa: 5th highest rated recruit in Oregon history; Butkus semi-finalist last year when he led team with 114 tackles; All Pac-12 first team; Freshman All-American.
TRENTON SIMPSON, LB, Clemson, Jr. 6-3, 230, Charlotte, NC: Has 18.5 career tackles for loss, 10 sacks; All-ACC performer and All-ACC Academic selection; Father US Army Sgt who served 17 overseas tours.
HENRY TO’OTO’O, LB, Alabama. Sr., 6-2, 225, Sacramento: Tennessee transfer stepped into starting role and led team in tackles with 113; All-SEC, 2nd team selection.
RASHAD TORRENCE II, CB, Florida, Jr., 6-0, 197, Atlanta: Two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll; 87 tackles last season; Projected 1st round NFL pick
ZION TUPUOLA-FETUI, DE, Washington, Jr., 6-4, 260, Pearl City, Hawaii: Missed part of last season with injury. All-Pac-12 and 2nd team All-American in 2020.
J.J. WEAVER, LB, Kentucky, Jr., 6-5, 241, Louisville: Rebounded from torn ACL in 2020 to make 3rd team All- SEC; Led Kentucky with six sacks and had 10 tackles for losses
–Courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications and lottimpacttrophy.org/