Ohio State’s Defensive Duo Named to Prestigious Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List — Can They Cement Their Legacy?

Alright, the winds of college football are starting to whisper louder, and you can almost smell that electric tension brewing — yep, watch list season is tiptoeing right around the corner. This week, the drumroll has already begun with the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list getting unveiled, spotlighting 42 standout defensive players poised to make waves — and two of those game-changers are proudly donning the Scarlet and Gray. Naturally, Ohio State’s star safety Caleb Downs shines bright on this roster, often touted as one of the nation’s premier defenders (and trust me, he’s far from finished when it comes to watch list mentions). Plus, keep an eye on linebacker Sonny Styles, whose name is definitely gaining serious traction. The Lott IMPACT Trophy — named after the legendary Ronnie Lott — honors the defensive player who embodies not just stellar performance but also Integrity, Maturity, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. It’s a prestigious nod to those rare athletes making a profound impact both on and beyond the gridiron. With the winner to be revealed in December by a national panel steeped in expertise, the coming months promise plenty of drama and anticipation. As preseason heats up and fall camp looms closer, you can bet we’ll be tracking every Buckeye with laser focus. LEARN MORE

It’s not quite college football watch list season, but it’s close. Look no further for proof than the earliest of the watch list announcements taking place this week with the unveiling of the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list for 2025. All told, 42 players appear on this year’s version of the watch list, and two of those will be wearing Scarlet and Gray on Saturdays.It’s no surprise that Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is on the list as arguably the best defensive player in the country (hint: it won’t be the last watch list he appears on), but linebacker Sonny Styles is also among the names to keep an eye on.Things will really start to heat up with these preseason watch lists as things get closer and closer to fall camp, and as they do, we’ll let you know the ones that have a little Buckeye flair.

The winner will be announced in December and 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. So, stay tuned after the season gets going to see what names continue to be considered for a rather prestigious award.

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The Lott IMPACT Trophy, named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, annually goes to the “Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, college football’s top defensive 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.”