The annual parade of watch lists for college football is about to commence and officials with the Lott IMPACT trophy announced their list of contenders on Thursday.
South Carolina cornerback Nick Emmanwori and Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter are on the watch list for the award named after the legendary NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.
Established by The Pacific Club IMPACT® Foundation, The Lott IMPACT® Trophy is awarded annually to the country's best defensive player who demonstrate excellence on the field and best exemplifies the IMPACT acronym: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Emmanwori is a junior from Irmo who has been a two-year starter in the secondary for South Carolina. A First Team Freshman All-SEC selection in 2022. he has made 23 starts in 24 games over the last two seasons. He has recorded 156 career tackles and two interceptions. His first career interception came last November in the 17-14 win at home over Kentucky and it came in the end zone, ending a second-quarter scoring threat by the Wildcats which in a close game, was critical.
A senior for Clemson, Carter was a Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist last season along with being named to the All-ACC 2nd team. He is one of three FBS players to post 19 or more tackles for loss, 10+ passes defensed, multiple forced fumbles and multiple interceptions across the last two seasons.
The Lott award is unique because it represents the first college football award to give equal weight to personal character as well as athletic performance from a defensive college player and is the first national college football award based on the West Coast.
