The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 5/6 Football’s Barron, Mukuba named quarterfinalists for Lott IMPACT Trophy
10.21.2024 | Football
The Texas senior defensive backs were recently tabbed quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas football senior defensive backs Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba were named quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced recently. Barron and Mukuba are two of 16 quarterfinalists for the award.
The Lott IMPACT® Trophy is awarded annually to the student-athlete who best exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT® on and off the field. IMPACT® is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
Barron and Mukuba have been dynamic playmakers in a Texas defense that leads the nation in several categories. The Longhorns lead the nation in scoring defense (9.7 ppg) and total defense (237.3 ypg) while ranking second nationally and first in the SEC in passing yards allowed (133 ypg) and team passing efficiency defense (88.59). UT also ranks sixth nationally in first down defense (96), seventh in red zone defense (.667), ninth in interceptions (10) and 10th in 3rd-down conversion percentage defense (.288).
Barron has compiled 26 tackles (15 solo stops), three interceptions, five pass break-ups and one fumble recovery through seven games this season. Barron paces the Longhorns in interceptions and pass break-ups this season while he ranks ninth nationally and second in the league in interceptions. The Austin native additionally ranks 12th in the country and second in the SEC in interceptions per game (0.4). Barron is coming off a sensational defensive effort versus No. 5/4 Georgia on Oct. 19 where he snagged a career-high two interceptions to go along with four total tackles (two solo). With his two interceptions against the Bulldogs, Barron became the first Longhorn with two interceptions in a single game since D'Shawn Jamison accomplished the feat at West Virginia on Oct. 5, 2019 – a span of 63 games.
Through seven games this season, Mukuba has racked up 25 tackles (18 solo stops), including one tackle for a loss of four yards, two interceptions, two pass break-ups and one quarterback hurry. Mukuba matched his season high in tackles with five (four solo), an interception and a quarterback hurry versus No. 5/4 Georgia on Oct. 19. The Austin product and first-year Longhorn logged four tackles (three solo) and an interception he returned for three yards in UT's 31-12 road victory at No. 10/9 Michigan on Sept. 7.
Semifinalists will be chosen in late November with finalists in December. The finalists will be invited to attend the annual Lott IMPACT® Trophy award show on Dec. 9, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Texas treks to No. 25/25 Vanderbilt for a 3:15 p.m. CT kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 26, at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville. The game will air on SEC Network with Tom Hart (play-by-play), Cole Cubelic (analyst) and Alyssa Lang (sideline) on the call.
