The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Ford named to Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list
05.08.2023 | Football
Senior linebacker Jaylan Ford led the Longhorns in tackles, interceptions, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries last season.
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Texas Football senior linebacker Jaylan Ford was named to the preseason watch list for the 20th annual Lott Impact Trophy, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced on Thursday. Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott, the Lott IMPACT Trophy is awarded to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Ford appeared in all 13 games with 12 starts in 2022, earning AP All-American honors after leading the Longhorns with a career-high 119 tackles (61 solo), three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions. He also logged 10 tackles for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. His four interceptions tied the single-season interception record for a Texas linebacker, last accomplished by Derrick Johnson in 2002 and 2003. All four of his interceptions led to Texas touchdowns, while his two fumble recoveries clinched victories over Kansas State and Iowa State. Ford's 119 total tackles were the most in a season for a Longhorn since 2014 (Jordan Hicks - 147; Steve Edmond - 131).
A native of Frisco, Texas, Ford was a 2022 first-team All-Big 12 selection by both the Big 12 Conference and the Associated Press and named the Dave Campbell's Texas Football Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, he netted Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors three times, the third Longhorn to earn the accolade three times in one season (Derrick Johnson, 2004; Jackson Jeffcoat, 2013).
The Lott Impact Trophy is an annual winner 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. The winner is announced at a gala black-tie event at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California December 10, 2023.
