NEWPORT BEACH, CA. – The Pacific Club IMPACT® Foundation has named nine semifinalists for the 2023 Lott IMPACT® Trophy, including Illinois All-American DT Jer'Zhan Newton.
Newton has been one of the top defenders in the nation in 2023. Entering Saturday's game against Indiana, Newton is the national leader in QB pressures among interior defenders with 33, according to PFF. He leads Big Ten defensive tackles by 10 pressures with the next closest being Ohio State's Michael Hall Jr. (23).
Newton has also been one of the most durable interior defenders in the nation, as he leads all Power-5 defensive tackles in snaps played with 531 (59.0 per game). Newton has played 46 more snaps than any other Big Ten interior defensive lineman, even after missing the first half at Minnesota.
Newton's two biggest games have come against two of Illinois' best opponents. He had eight pressures against Wisconsin, tied for the most by any defensive tackle in the nation this season, and seven pressures against #7 Penn State in Illinois' Big Ten opener, the third-most by any defensive tackle in a game this season. Newton was the highest-rated Power-5 defensive tackle in the nation during Week 3 vs. Penn State and Week 8 vs. Wisconsin (minimum 30 snaps), according to PFF. His 95.0 grade against Wisconsin was the highest by a Big Ten defender since 2019.
The Lott IMPACT® Trophy, now in its 20th year, goes to the student-athlete who best 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.
Finalists will be invited to attend the annual Lott IMPACT® Trophy award show, December 10, 2023, in Newport Beach, California. Joel Klatt from Fox Sports will emcee the event. The university of the winner will receive $25,000 for its general scholarship fund while the other finalists will receive $5,000 for each of their schools.
The 2023 Lott IMPACT® Trophy semifinalists include four defensive linemen, two linebackers, and three defensive backs from the ACC, Big Ten, SEC, and Pac 12 conferences.
The 2023 Lott IMPACT® Trophy Semifinalists:
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa
Jonah Elliss, DL, Utah
Travis Hunter, DB, Colorado
Laiatu Latu, DE, UCLA
Kool-Aid McKinstry, DB, Alabama
Jer'Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
Dallas Turner, LB, Alabama
Jared Verse, DE, Florida State
Previous Winners of the Lott IMPACT® Trophy
2004 – David Pollack, Georgia
2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 – Dante Hughes, Cal
2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
2009 – Jerry Hughes, TCU
2010 – J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
2011 – Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2012 – Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
2013 – Anthony Barr, UCLA
2014 – Eric Kendricks, UCLA
2015 – Carl Nassib, Penn State
2016 – Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
2017 – Josey Jewell, Iowa
2018 – Josh Allen, Kentucky
2019 – Derek Brown, Auburn
2020 – Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
2021 – Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
2022 – Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
The 20th Annual Lott IMPACT® Trophy Award Presentation will be held December 10th at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. To purchase tickets for the event, click here or for more information on The Lott Trophy visit: www.LottImpactTrophy.org
