Penn State corners makes first 2025 award watch list; when do the rest come out?
Penn State news, notes, and updates for May 30 include a Nittany Lion making the first 2025 award watch list, headlines of the day, and more. Second-year cornerback AJ Harris is one of 42 defenders on the initial rundown of candidates for the LOTT Impact Trophy. It goes annually to “the student-athlete who best exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT® on and off the field. IMPACT® is an acronym for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity,” according to a news release.
Former All-American Penn State defensive end Carl Nassib won the honor back in 2015. He is the first and only Nittany Lion to do so since the trophy was created in 2004.
As for Harris, he’s sitting on a big junior season in State College after netting 48 tackles (four for loss), an interception, and five pass breakups after transferring in from Georgia during the 2024 offseason. He will again start for position coach Terry Smith in 2025.
“He’s done a tremendous job of creating leadership in the room,” Smith said when asked about Harris this spring. “His attention to detail, his intentional performance every day of practice; he’s at another level right now. He is everything we thought he would be coming in, and he’s everything we thought as he finished the season strong last year.
“This guy will be an All-American candidate. He’s fantastic [and] locked in. He’s super smart. I’m really happy where he’s at right now.”
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The National College Football Awards Association, which represents many of college football’s top annual honors, will release more watch lists in late July and early August. The full schedule is below:
Headlines of the day
Penn State White Out game pick, plus four early kick times, are in; see them here: Pickel, BWI
On300 Edge and Penn State target Tyson Harley finalizes official visit plans: Fitz, BWI
Who will be Penn State’s next great pass rusher? Bold prediction: McGonigal, PennLive
Where does Penn State go after Niederhauser NBA Draft decision?: Bauer, BWI
Buy or sell: Should Penn State QB Drew Allar have top five odds to win the Heisman Trophy?: Pickel, BWI
Top recruits earning six figures to guarantee commitment: ‘I’ve heard guys making $25K a month’: Nakos, On3
Quote of the day
They really let their guards and their wings do what they know they work on. For me, freedom is something I really feel like I need. I need to feel loose on the court. My relationship with them gets better every time. They’re contacting me all the time, reaching out, and staying in communication. So, our relationship keeps getting better.”
Top-60 Class of 2026 wing Luca Foster to On3’s Jamie Shaw about PSU following a recent visit.
