LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky senior linebacker Josh Allen has been named one of the 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy which is presented to the college football defensive IMPACT player of the year. IMPACT is an acronym for: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity. The announcement was made today by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, California.
In six games, Allen, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound linebacker from Montclair, New Jersey, has totaled 37 tackles and currently leads the Southeastern Conference and ranks 10th nationally in tackles for losses with 10.5. He also is among the nation’s leaders in sacks with six. His 20.5 career sacks ranks third on the UK’s career list.
Allen has earned first-team midseason All-America honors from the Associated Press, ESPN.com, Pro Football Focus, CBS Sports and The Athletic, and been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week three times. His most recent Player of the Week award came after recording eight tackles, four tackles for loss (-19), including a career-best three quarterback sacks (-17), one fumble caused and one quarterback hurry in the win over South Carolina.
He is also on the watch lists for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s top defensive player and the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top linebacker.
Voting for the winner and finalists of the Lott IMPACT Trophy will take place in November and the 15th annual awards banquet will be held Dec. 9 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach.
The Quarterfinalists:
Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky
Zach Allen, DL, Boston College
Ben Burr-Kirven, LB, Washington
Te’von Coney, LB, Notre Dame
Deshaun Davis, LB, Auburn
Joe Dineen Jr., LB, Kansas
Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio State
Chase Hansen, LB, Utah
Ben Humphreys, LB, Duke
Jordan Kunaszyk, LB, Cal
Nate Landman, LB, Colorado
Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford
Ed Oliver, DE, Houston
Adarius Pickett, S, UCLA
Taylor Rapp, S, Washington
Colin Schooler, LB, Arizona
Cameron Smith, LB, USC
Drue Tranquill, LB, Notre Dame
Devin White, LB, LSU
Christian Wilkins, DL, Clemson
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