Colorado University Athletics
McKinney Named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
May 28, 2025 | Football
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Colorado's DJ McKinney is one of 42 players listed as preseason candidates for the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy presented by Allied Universal, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced Wednesday.Â
McKinney started all 13 games for the Buffaloes last season and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 by both the league's coaches and CFN. Â He led CU by playing 840 snaps on defense throughout the season and was third on the team with 62 tackles and added three interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Â He ranked fourth in the Big 12 in both pass breakups and passes defended. Â
He transferred to Colorado after two seasons at Oklahoma State, and ironically against the Cowboys at Folsom Field, he had his first career pick six and he had an interception in three of the last four games of the season. Â
McKinney is one of 13 defensive backs named to the watch list and one of four players from the Big 12. Â The winner will be announced in December and 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.
He will be looking to make it two in a row for the Buffaloes on the heels of Travis Hunter winning the award last season. Â Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, the award goes to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, college football's top defensive player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.Â
IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career.
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McKinney started all 13 games for the Buffaloes last season and was named honorable mention All-Big 12 by both the league's coaches and CFN. Â He led CU by playing 840 snaps on defense throughout the season and was third on the team with 62 tackles and added three interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. Â He ranked fourth in the Big 12 in both pass breakups and passes defended. Â
He transferred to Colorado after two seasons at Oklahoma State, and ironically against the Cowboys at Folsom Field, he had his first career pick six and he had an interception in three of the last four games of the season. Â
McKinney is one of 13 defensive backs named to the watch list and one of four players from the Big 12. Â The winner will be announced in December and 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.
He will be looking to make it two in a row for the Buffaloes on the heels of Travis Hunter winning the award last season. Â Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, the award goes to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, college football's top defensive player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.Â
IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career.
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Players Mentioned
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