While the 2016 watch list doesn’t prohibit anyone else from winning the award, Jackson and Smith boast the Trojans’ best chance of winning for the first time ever.
The award, which debuted in 2004, is named after USC great Ronnie Lott and is given to “college football’s Defensive Player of the Year who best exemplifies the IMPACT acronym: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.”
For Adoree’ Jackson, his stature as a candidate is dependent on his versatility. A three-way player who excels as a cornerback, receiver and returner, he’s USC’s most athletic and dangerous player in all three phases.