Kentucky LB Allen wins Lott IMPACT Trophy

Kentucky senior linebacker Josh Allen added to his growing award collection by winning the Lott IMPACT Trophy as the college defensive player having the biggest influence on his team. Allen received the award Sunday night from former Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott. The honor goes to a player with strong academic work, community involvement and team leadership. The 6-foot-5, 260-pound Allen bested fellow finalists Ben Burr-Kirven of Washington, Christian Wilkins of Clemson and Ben Humphreys of Duke for the award, which was first presented in 2004 to Georgia's David Pollack. In addition to winning the award, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation will donate $25,000 to the general scholarship fund at the University of Kentucky. Allen already has won the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defensive player. The Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Allen said he will play in Kentucky's upcoming Citrus Bowl against Penn State before moving to the NFL. Allen recorded 14 of his 28.5 career sacks in 2018. His 11 career forced fumbles are even with former Wildcat and current Chicago Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan. Allen led Kentucky with 84 tackles and paces the SEC in sacks, tackles for loss (18.5) and forced fumbles (five).