It’s no secret Michigan football houses one of the best defenses in the country. They lead the NCAA in fewest points allowed per game and are tops in the Big Ten in interceptions forced. Ahead of their massive Saturday clash against rival Ohio State, the Michigan Wolverines are starting to earn recognition for their defensive prowess. Per the official Michigan Wolverines Football Twitter page, linebacker Junior Colson has been named a Lott IMPACT Trophy finalist for being among the most impactful defenders, on and off the field, in the NCAA.
Junior Colson: Linebacker Playing Well During Junior Campaign
Junior Colson has 60 tackles and two TFLs in 11 games this season. Last Saturday, he had eight tackles in his team’s 31-24 win over the Maryland Terrapins. He would current Houston Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr., former Michigan Wolverines pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, and former Northwestern All-American Paddy Fisher as the Lott IMPACT Trophy Award recipients since 2020.
IMPACT stands for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity, while the trophy is named after NFL and College Football Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott. Alongside the above winners, J.J. Watt, Luke Kuechly, Manti Te’o, DeMeco Ryans, and James Laurinaitis have also won the Lott IMPACT Trophy Award.
Michigan Football: Historic Defense in 2023
The Michigan Wolverines football program has posted elite numbers this season. They are top three in the country in the fewest points, passing yards, and passing touchdowns allowed per game in 2023. They also keep opponents under 100 yards rushing per game on a lowly 3.0 yards per rush attempt. Additionally, the Wolverines are among the top five in the fewest total yards allowed per game and yards per play metric.
On Saturday, the Wolverines will face off against an equally impressive and undefeated Ohio State Buckeyes team. Ohio State is second in college football regarding points allowed per game, trailing only Michigan. The winner of Saturday’s rivalry game will become a virtual lock to make the College Football Playoff.
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