NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. -- The Lott IMPACT Trophy, given to the nation's top defensive player for both his performance and character, will have six finalists instead of the usual four and will be presented in February.
The finalists will include one from each of the Power 5 conferences and one at-large finalist from the other Division I conferences.
Three semifinalists from each league will be chosen on Nov. 18 and one finalist from each conference will be named on Jan. 7.
The award, sponsored by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, is usually given in December. It will be presented on Feb. 21 in Newport Beach, California. The changes were the result of the coronavirus.
The winner receives $25,000 for the general scholarship fund of his school.
Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott presents the IMPACT award, which stands for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity.
Auburn's Derrick Brown won it last year.