Auburn's Zakoby McClain named to Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn senior linebacker Zakoby McClain is one of 42 players on the watch list for the 2021 Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced Tuesday.

McClain led the nation with 113 tackles last season, averaging 10.3 stops per game, which ranked third in the SEC and 19th nationally.

He posted a career-high 17 tackles vs. Texas A&M, the most by an Auburn player since Demetruce McNeal recorded 18 in 2012 at Mississippi State.

In three seasons on the Plains, McClain has tallied seven games with 10 or more tackles, including five in 2020 and three in a row vs. Georgia (11), Arkansas (14) and South Carolina (13).
 
McClain's 11-tackle performance in the Citrus Bowl gave him 172 careers stops. McClain's former Auburn teammate, Derrick Brown, won the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2019.

College defensive players are nominated to the Watch List based on the IMPACT on their teams on and off the field.  IMPACT is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.  The 42 represents Ronnie Lott's number during his legendary career.

The Watch List was announced at a luncheon at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach June 15.  Former NFL MVP and Hall of Famer Kurt Warner was the special guest speaker at the luncheon.

The winner of the Lott Trophy, which will be announced in December, will receive $25,000 for his university's general scholarship fund.

This is the 18th year for the Lott Trophy, which has donated more than $1.6 million to schools and other charities around the country.