NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Nov. 24, 2025 — The Lott IMPACT Trophy presented by Allied Universal has named four finalists for the annual award for the nation's top defensive college football player based on their performance and character.
– CJ Allen, Linebacker, University of Georgia
– Rueben Bain, Defensive End, University of Miami
– Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State University
– Jacob Rodriguez, Linebacker, Texas Tech University
The winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, presented by Allied Universal, will be announced on December 7 at 7pm ET/4pm PT from The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif. in a live television broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Former UCLA head coach and current CBS college football analyst Rick Neuheisel will host the event, along with CBS sideline reporter Jordan Giorgio.
This is the 22nd year of the Lott IMPACT Trophy presented by Allied Universal, which is awarded annually to the student-athlete that best exhibits the characteristics of hall of fame safety Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
November 24, 2025
by Lott IMPACT Trophy
