Walker named to Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – Fresno State senior linebacker Mykal Walker was named one of 42 players by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation on Friday to the 2019 Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list.

Now in its 16th year, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, goes to the defensive college football player who has the biggest IMPACT on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

In Walker's first season on the field for the Bulldogs, he was named a 2018 All-Mountain West first team selection and was the defensive MVP of the 2018 Mountain West Championship game.

Walker was a 14-game starter at defensive end as a junior, before being targeting as the Bulldogs' starting middle linebacker for his senior campaign. He led all defensive linemen in the Mountain West in tackles per game, averaging 6.1 per game, and totaled the second-most tackles on the team with 87. He recorded a team-best 14.0 tackles for loss (for 39 yards) and also chipped in 4.5 sacks.

There are two additional players from the Mountain West on this year's list: Curtis Weaver, Boise State (DE) and David Woodward, Utah State (LB).

The voting panel for the Lott IMPACT Trophy is made up of former winners and finalists, former coaches and players, members of the media and the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation.

The Foundation has donated more than $1.5 million to various charities since its inception in 2004, including nearly $700,000 to universities.

The winner's school receives $25,000 for its general scholarship fund and three finalists receive $5,000 each for their schools. A Lott IMPACT Player of the Week is selected each week during the season and $1,000 is awarded to the school of the player.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy organization can be followed at Lottimpactrophy.org, or Twitter or Facebook. The official watch list announcement can be found HERE.

2019 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List

Paulson Adebo, Stanford, CB
Markus Bailey, Purdue, LB
Mohamed Barry, Nebraska, LB
Joe Bachie, Michigan State, LB
Decalon Brooks, Florida State, LB
Derrick Brown, Auburn, DT
Myles Bryant, Washington, DB
Edgar Cerenord, Duke, DT
Cole Christiansen, Army, LB
Andre Cisco, Syracuse, S
Troy Dye, Oregon, LB
A.J. Epenesa, Iowa, DL
Paddy Fisher, Northwestern, LB
Jordan Fuller, Ohio State, DB
Jeff Gadney, TCU, CB
Cale Garrett, Missouri, LB
Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame, S
Richie Grant, UCF, DB
Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State, DE
Bryce Hall, Virginia, S
Khaleke Hudson, Michigan, LB/S
Jaylen Johnson, Utah, CB
Brandon Jones, Texas, DB
Richard Lacounte, Georgia, S
Rashard Lawrence, LSU, DT
Ray Lima, Iowa State, DL
Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M, DL
Josh Metellus, Michigan, S
Dylan Moses, Alabama, LB
Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma, LB
Chris Orr, Wisconsin, LB
Shaquille Quarterman, Miami, LB
Christian Rector, USC, DL
Malcolm Roach, Texas, DE
Colin Schooler, Arizona, LB
Isaiah Simmons, Clemson, LB
Mykal Walker, Fresno State, LB
Curtis Weaver, Boise State, DE
Evan Weaver, Cal, LB
Tyler Whiley, Arizona State, LB/DB
David Woodward, Utah State, LB
Jabari Zuniga, Florida, DE

* There are 18 linebackers on the list, 13 defensive backs, and 11 defensive linemen.

Previous Winners of the Lott IMPACT Trophy
2004 – David Pollack, Georgia
2005 – DeMeco Ryans, Alabama
2006 – Dante Hughes, Cal
2007 – Glenn Dorsey, LSU
2008 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
2009 – Jerry Hughes, TCU
2010 – J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
2011 – Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2012 – Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
2013 – Anthony Barr, UCLA
2014 – Eric Kendricks, UCLA
2015 – Carl Nassib, Penn State
2016 – Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
2017 – Josey Jewell, Iowa
2018 – Joshua Allen, Kentucky

"Just the Ticket to Build our Community" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

Walker named to Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list

Related News

Players Mentioned

Mykal Walker

Related Videos