The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 7/6 Football’s Biles named Lott Impact Trophy quarterfinalist
10.15.2026 | Football
Biles is one of 16 quarterfinalists for the award.
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 7/6 Texas Football senior linebacker Rasheem Biles was named one of 16 quarterfinalists for the Lott Impact Trophy, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced Thursday.
Biles was also named to the Lombardi Award's midseason watch list on Oct. 14.
Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, the Lott Trophy annually goes to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, a 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 playing career.
Biles is a senior linebacker who transferred to Texas from Pitt in spring 2026. In five starts at Texas, Biles leads the team in total tackles (42), solo tackles (21) and interceptions (2). Biles is second on the team with 4.5 tackles for loss and quarterback hurries with two. Biles ties for the SEC lead in total interceptions (2) and interceptions per game (0.40). He's fifth in the SEC in total tackles.
In his Longhorn debut against Texas State on Sept. 5, Biles totaled five tackles with a half tackle for loss and forced two turnovers, including a forced fumble and an interception. The forced fumble resulted in a 59-yard return touchdown by sophomore DB Graceson Littleton for a 28-0 lead, while the interception set up the Longhorns' offense at the Bobcats' 45-yard line, and they scored a touchdown three plays later for a 49-7 lead. It was Biles' first career game with a forced fumble and an interception. Biles was named the SEC's Co-Defensive Player of the Week following his performance against Texas State on Sept. 7. In UT's win over No. 1/1 Ohio State on Sept. 12, Biles logged eight tackles (six solo). The Columbus, Ohio, product followed with a four-tackle, one interception and one quarterback hurry performance against UTSA on Sept. 19. In Texas' SEC opener at No. 14/13 Tennessee on Sept. 26, Biles paced Texas with 13 tackles (seven solo), including 2.0 tackles for a loss of eight yards and a sack for a loss of four yards, to go along with a quarterback hurry. In the Allstate Red River Rivalry on Oct. 10, Biles led Texas with 12 tackles (three solo), including 2.0 tackles for a loss of five yards.
Biles is part of a Texas defense that ranks fourth in the FBS in team sacks (3.60), ninth in team tackles for loss (8.0), 13th in total defense (264.4), 15th in first downs defense (82), 18th in team passing efficiency defense (111.50), 20th in rushing defense (96.0), 21st in scoring defense (16.0), 23rd in passing yards allowed (168.4), 23rd in defensive touchdowns (1) and 25th in red zone defense (0.750).
Up next, the Longhorns host Florida at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Oct. 17, at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ABC with Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Jesse Palmer (analyst) and Kris Budden (reporter) on the call.
