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Wolverine Digest

Trio of Michigan football defenders make Lott IMPACT Trophy quarterfinals

Trent Knoop|
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

There were 16 defensive players who became Lott IMPACT quarterfinalists on Thursday and three of those came from Michigan.

Defensive tackle Mason Graham, cornerback Will Johnson, and Edge defender Josaiah Stewart were all named to the quarterfinal list.

The Lott IMPACT® Trophy is awarded annually to the student-athlete who best exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT® on and off the field. IMPACT® is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Michigan has had three Lott IMPACT Trophy winners. Jabrill Peppers was the first in 2016, Aidan Hutchinson won the award in 2021, and Junior Colson won it last year in 2023.

Here is some information about all three, thanks to MGoBlue:

Josaiah Stewart

• Team Captain (2024)
• All-Big Ten selection (honorable mention, coaches, 2023)
• Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 23, 2024)
• Co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 2, 2023)
• One-year letterman (2023)• Has appeared in 20 games off the edge with five starts

Will Johnson:

• All-American (first team, 2023)
• All-Big Ten selection (consensus first team, coaches and media, 2023)
• Defensive MVP, 2023 National Championship Game
• Shared Defensive Freshman of the Year honors (2022)
• Two-time letter winner (2022-23)
• Appeared in 31 games with 21 starts at cornerback

Mason Graham:

• All-American (second team, 2023)
• All-Big Ten selection (first team, coaches; third team, media, 2023)
• Tournament of Roses 2023 Rose Bowl Game Defensive MVP
• Academic All-Big Ten honoree (2023)
• Shared Defensive Freshman of the Year honors (2022)
• Two-time letterman (2022-23)
• Has appeared in 33 games with 21 starts along the defensive line

- Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI -

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Trent Knoop
TRENT KNOOP

Trent began writing and covering Michigan athletics back in 2020. He became a credentialed member of the media in 2021. Trent began writing with Sports Illustrated in 2023 and became the Managing Editor for Michigan Wolverines On SI during the 2025 football season. Trent also serves as the Publisher of Baylor Bears on SI. His other bylines have appeared on Maryland on SI, Wisconsin on SI, and across the USA TODAY Sports network. Trent’s love of sports and being able to tell stories to fans is what made him get into writing.

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