Lutmer Named to Lott IMPACT Watch List

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa junior defensive back Zach Lutmer has been named to the 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. The announcement was made Thursday by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation.

The 42 nominees represent the finest in college football defensive players who have had the biggest IMPACT on their teams both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity. 

Lutmer (6-foot, 205-pounds) started all 13 games at the CASH position in 2025, collecting 71 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, one touchdown and seven pass breakups.  He was a part of a Hawkeye defense that finished eighth in the country in scoring defense (15.6) and ninth in total defense (280.4).

The Rock Rapids, Iowa, native earned second-team All-Big Ten honors by the coaches and a third-team nod by the media.  He was also selected as Iowa’s Roy Carver Most Valuable Player for defense and he is a two-time Team Hustle Award recipient.

Off the field, Lutmer is a two-time CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-Big Ten selection.  Last season he was one of two sophomores named to the team’s Player Council.

Former Hawkeye linebacker and current Carolina Panther Josey Jewell won the award in 2017. James Morris was a finalist in 2013, while Desmond King (2016), Cooper DeJean (2023) and Jay Higgins (2024) were recent semifinalists.

Finalists for the award will be announced in December.

The Hawkeyes will open the 2026 season Sept. 5, hosting Northern Illinois inside Kinnick Stadium.