Bywater named candidate for 2023 Lott IMPACT Trophy

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — BYU junior linebacker Ben Bywater has been named one of 42 candidates for the 2023 Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded annually to college football's Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year.

Bywater, who was also a candidate for prestigious award in 2022, is the only repeat candidate on the preseason list for 2023. The 6-3, 230-pound junior is one of 16 linebackers in the country named to the 2023 watch list by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation. The list of candidates also includes 13 defensive backs and 13 defensive linemen. 

Now in its 20th year and named after former NFL Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy annually is awarded to a defensive 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 illustrious playing career.

As a sophomore in 2022, Bywater excelled for the Cougars both on and off the field. He was a team co-captain and a candidate for the Butkus Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy. For the second consecutive year, he led BYU in tackles with 98 (31 solo), becoming first to lead the Cougars in tackles in back-to-back seasons since current San Francisco 49er All-Pro Fred Warner (2016-17). In addition, he recorded four tackles-for-loss, one sack, three interceptions and two pass breakups during the 2022 season.

Bywater was named the 2022 New Mexico Bowl Defensive MVP after recording his first career pick-six in a game-changing play that helped BYU defeat SMU 24-23. He was also named the Lott IMPACT Trophy Week 2 Player of the Week for his play in leading BYU to a 26-20 win over No. 9 Baylor. Following the 2022 season, Bywater was named Phil Steele All-Independent Second Team and was selected to the Associated Press All-Bowl Team for his outstanding play in the New Mexico Bowl. 

The junior linebacker also excelled in the classroom, being named Academic All-District in 2022 by the College Sports Communicator for a second consecutive year. Bywater has a 3.65 GPA in the No. 2-ranked finance program in the United States and was a candidate for CSC Academic All-American for the second year in a row.

The Lott Trophy annual winner is 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 2023 winner will be announced at a gala black-tie event on Dec. 10 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California.  

Below is a complete list of the candidates for the 2023 Lott IMPACT Trophy.

JAISHAWN BARHAM, Maryland, LB, 6-3, 230, So., District Heights, Maryland 
CHICO BENNETT Jr., Virginia, DE, 6-4, 252, Sr., Ashbury, Virginia
COBEE BRYANT, Kansas, CB, 6-0, 178, Jr., Evergreen, Alabama
CALEN BULLOCK, USC, DB, 6-3, 190, Jr., Pasadena, Califorina
JORDAN BURCH, Oregon, DE, Transfer from South Carolina
BEN BYWATER, BYU, LB, 6-3, 230, Jr. Salt Lake City
ABDUL CARTER, Penn State, LB, 6-3, 249, So., Philadelphia 
BARRETT CARTER, Clemson, LB, 6-1, 225, Jr., Suwanee, Georgia
DeWAYNE CARTER, Duke, DL, 6-3, 303, R Sr., Pickertington, Ohio
JOSH CELISCAR, UCF, DE, 6-4, 265, Sr., Winter Haven, Florida
MASON COBB, USC, LB, 6-0, 230, Jr., Provo, Utah
JUNIOR COLSON, Michigan, LB, 6-2, 235 Jr., Brentwood, Tennessee
TOMMY EICHENBERG, Ohio State, LB, 6-2, 239, Sr., Cleveland 
JUSTIN FLOWE, Arizona, LB, 6-2, Jr., Upland, California
JAYLAN FORD, Texas, LB, 6-3, 234, Sr., Frisco, Texas
MARCUS FUQUA, Buffalo, S, 6-0, 195, Sr., Southfield, Michigan
CEDRIC GRAY, North Carolina, LB, 6-3, 230, Sr., Charlotte, N.C.
JOHNNY HODGES, TCU, LB, 6-2, 240, Sr., Darnestown, Maryland
TY’RON HOPPER, Missouri, LB, 6-2, 221, Sr., Shelby, N.C. 
TRAVIS HUNTER, Colorado, DB, 6-1, 165, So., Suwannee, Georgia 
PATRICK JENKINS, Tulane, DL, 6-2, 305, Sr., New Orleans
WILL JOHNSON, Michigan, DB, 6-2, 194, So., Detroit
KAMREN KINCHENS, Miami, S, 5-11, 200, Jr., Miami
KALEN KING, Penn State, CB, 5-11, 190. Jr., Detroit 
LAIATU LATU, UCLA, DE, 6-4, 265, Jr., Sacramento, California
DWIGHT MCGLOTHERN, Arkansas, DB, 6-2, 190, Sr., Houston
GA’QUINCY ‘Kool-Aid’ McKINSTRY, Alabama, CB, 6-1, 195, Jr., Birmingham, Alabama 
MALACHI MOORE, Alabama, DB, 6-0, 198, Sr., Trussville, Alabama
BENJAMIN MORRISON, Notre Dame, CB, 6-0, 170, So., Phoenix
JER’ZHAN NEWTON, Illinois, DT, 6-2, 295, Jr., St. Petersburg, Florida
JOSH NEWTON, TCU, CB, 6-0, 195, Sr., Monroe, Louisiana
COLLIN OLIVER, Oklahoma State, DE, 6-2, 235, Sr., Oklahoma City
HAROLD PERKINS JR., LSU, LB, 6-1, 220, So., New Orleans
KARENE REID, Utah, LB, 6-0, 227, Jr., American Fork, Utah
MAASON SMITH, LSU, DL, 6-6, 310, So., Houma, Louisiana 
MALAKI STARKS Georgia, S, 6-1, 205, So., Jefferson, Georgia
DANNY STUTSMAN, Oklahoma, LB, 6-4, 240, Jr., Windermere, Florida
BRALEN TRICE, Washington, DE, 6-4, 267, Jr., Phoenix, Arizona
J.T. TUIMOLOAU, Ohio State, DE, 6-4, 270, Jr., Edgewood, Washington 
JARED VERSE, Florida State, DE, 6-4, 250, Sr., Dayton, Ohio
DEONE WALKER, Kentucky, DL, 6-6, 348, So., Detroit, Michigan
NATHANIEL WATSON, Mississippi State, LB, 6-2, 240, Sr., Maplesville, Alabama