ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia junior ILB CJ Allen has been named one of four finalists for the 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy, according to an announcement from The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation.
 
Allen, a native of Barnesville, Ga., is the only player from the Southeastern Conference named a finalist for the award that is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player, who also exhibits the characteristics of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, Tenacity) on and off the field.
 
The winner will be announced Dec. 7 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., at 7 p.m. ET.  A national voter poll will help select the winner.  Former three-time Bulldog All-American David Pollack won the inaugural accolade in 2004.
 
Allen leads the SEC averaging 7.8 tackles through 11 games.  He has piled up 78 stops, including seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, to go with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.  He has been Georgia’s leading tackler seven times this season and has been a captain five times.  Allen’s work in the community is also tops among his teammates, including visiting his former elementary, middle and high schools during one of the Bulldogs’ off weeks to encourage current students.
 
Allen is also a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, Butkus Award and Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
 
The No. 4 Bulldogs (10-1) make the short trip to Atlanta to face No. 16 Georgia Tech (9-2) in Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the Invesco QQQ Atlanta Gridiron Classic on Friday.  Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 and the game will be televised by ABC.