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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior linebacker Josey Jewell is one of four finalists for the 2017 Lott IMPACT Trophy. The announcement was made Wednesday by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, which is responsible for honoring the nation’s best defensive IMPACT player at the end of the season.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy winner will be announced Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California, by Ronnie Lott. Each finalist will receive $5,000 for the university’s general scholarship fund, with the winner earning $25,000 for the general scholarship fund. Former Iowa linebacker James Morris was a finalist for the award in 2013, while former defensive back Desmond King was a semifinalist in 2016.
Jewell, a native of Decorah, Iowa, was named the recipient of the Jack Lambert Award on Monday. He is also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Senior CLASS Award. He earned first team All-Big Ten honors from both league coaches and media.
Jewell leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in tackles (125 total, 11.4 per game). He was a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Butkus Awards. Jewell is the third Hawkeye in program history to have three seasons with at least 115 tackles (Larry Station 83, 84, 85; Abdul Hodge 03, 04, 05). Jewell has led the team in tackles in each of the last two seasons (126 in 2015, 124 in 2016), and has 426 career tackles, fifth all-time in program history.
Jewell was named the Lott IMPACT Trophy national defensive Player of the Week for his play against Wyoming and Purdue. He was the Chuck Bednarik Award national and Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s 24-3 win over Wyoming (14 tackles).
Jewell was named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week, Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week, Bednarik Award, and College Sports Madness Defensive Player of the Week following his performance versus No. 4 Penn State (16 tackles).
Jewell was named midseason first team All-American by five media outlets, including Associated Press, ESPN.com, CBSSports.com, Sporting News, and The All-American.
Joining Jewell as finalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy are Minkah Fitzpatrick of Alabama, Micah Kiser of Virginia and Stanford’s Harrison Phillips.
Iowa (7-5) is bowl eligible for the 16th time in the last 17 seasons. Iowa’s bowl destination and opponent will be announced on Sunday.
