Oklahoma Sooners tandem named to Lott Impact Trophy watch list

· Yahoo Sports

The Oklahoma Sooners have landed two players on the watch list for the Lott Impact Trophy, which was released earlier this week. Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded each season to the Defensive Impact Player of the Year, a player who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.

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The two OU players who made the cut were defensive lineman Taylor Wein and defensive back Peyton Bowen, who both returned to Norman after strong seasons in 2025. Wein was a breakout player at defensive end who will now lead the way at that position in 2026. Bowen was an important playmaker at safety who came up with clutch performances down the stretch of OU's season.

Wein tallied 15 TFLs and seven sacks in his first significant action for the Sooners last year. Now, the redshirt-junior is considered one of the leaders for the defense, and he won't be sneaking up on anybody in 2026.

Bowen totaled 47 tackles to go along with two interceptions, seven PBUs, and a blocked field goal last season. The senior is now the leader of the safety room in Norman, and his play last November is a big reason why the Sooners made it to the College Football Playoff.

As key leaders like Damonic Williams, Gracen Halton, R Mason Thomas, and Robert Spears-Jennings have moved on to the NFL, it'll be up to Wein and Bowen, along with players like Jayden Jackson, David Stone, Kip Lewis, Owen Heinecke, and Eli Bowen, to carry that torch on defense for the Sooners in 2026.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Pair of Sooners named to watch list for Lott Impact Trophy

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