Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris has been named to the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list, an honor recognizing college football’s top defensive players who exemplify Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity—qualities embodied by Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.
Harris, a junior from Phenix City, Alabama, transferred to Penn State from Georgia and made an immediate impact in his first season with the Nittany Lions. Starting all 15 games in 2024, he recorded 48 tackles (28 solo), four tackles for loss, one interception, and five pass breakups, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors from both coaches and media.
Pro Football Focus highlighted Harris’s exceptional coverage skills, noting he allowed just one touchdown over 389 coverage snaps and earned a coverage grade of 81.3. He was also ranked as the No. 7 returning cornerback in college football, praised for his excellent instincts in zone coverage and technical refinement.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy, presented annually by the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, honors a defensive player who makes significant contributions both on and off the field. Harris’s inclusion on the 42-player watch list underscores his leadership and performance, positioning him as a key figure in Penn State’s defense for the upcoming season.
The winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy will be announced in December, following the conclusion of the 2025 college football regular seaso
