Colson Named Winner of 2023 Lott IMPACT Trophy
12/10/2023 11:00:00 PM | Football
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced on Sunday evening (Dec. 10) that University of Michigan linebacker Junior Colson is the recipient of the 2023 Lott IMPACT Trophy. The announcement was made during the foundation's 20th annual awards dinner and ceremony held at The Pacific Club.
Colson is Michigan's third-ever recipient of the Lott IMPACT Trophy, joining winners Aidan Hutchinson (2021) and Jabrill Peppers (2016). The Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the student-athlete who exhibits the characteristics displayed by Ronnie Lott during his college and professional years. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity.
The award has been distributed since 2004 and is voted on by a national panel of more than 300 former college players, coaches and media members. As a result of winning this year's award, Colson received a $25,000 donation from the Pacific Club to the University of Michigan's general scholarship fund.
Colson, who earned second-team All-Big Ten honors earlier this month, has been a mainstay for Michigan's top-rated defense. The team's top tackler (35-44--79), he has helped the defense rank top-five in seven major categories including rushing defense (86.6 yards per game), passing yards allowed per game (152.2), total defense (239.2) and scoring defense (9.5 points per game).
He has been charged with only three missed tackles on more than 80 attempts and ranks No. 6 among all linebackers in tackling grade (90.3). A leader in the middle of the defense, Colson and the Wolverines posted multiple shutouts in a season for the first time since 2015 while limiting opponents to 1.5 red zone trips per game, the fewest in the nation.
