The 2025 college football season doesn’t begin for another three months, but it’s never too early to get Watch List season started. And the first one out of the gate, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, includes an Arizona Wildcat.
Junior linebacker Taye Brown is one of 42 players named to the preseason watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, given annually to defender who “exhibits the characteristics” of NFL Hall of Famer and former USC defensive back Ronnie Lott.
Brown is coming off a sophomore season in which he made 11 starts and registered 70 tackles, with four for loss including 2.5 sacks as well as two pass deflections, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In two years with the UA Brown has played in 25 games.
He is the fifth Arizona player in the past four seasons to make the Lott watch list. Last year cornerback Tacario Davis and linebacker Jacob Manu were named, while linebacker Justin Flowe was on the 2023 preseason list and defensive lineman Kyon Barrs in 2022.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy has been handed out since 2004, with Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter of Colorado taking home the award last year.