MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State sixth-year senior defensive back Jahron McPherson was one of 42 players across the country to be named to the 2021 watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has announced.
McPherson's inclusion on the watch list is the first for the Wildcats since Denzel Goolsby was up for the award in 2018. Prior K-State candidates include Arthur Brown (2012 finalist), Ty Zimmerman (2013), Ryan Mueller (2014 quarterfinalist), Dante Barnett (2015 and 2016) and D.J. Reed (2017).
This is the 18th year the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has presented the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which goes to the college defensive player who exhibits the characteristics displayed by Ronnie Lott during his legendary college and professional careers. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
A 10-game starter at safety in 2020, McPherson was an Honorable Mention All-Big 12 pick by the league's coaches after leading the Wildcats with 54 tackles to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions, five total passes defended and a forced fumble.
A product of Basehor, Kansas, McPherson had a banner day in K-State's win at No. 3 Oklahoma when he had a career-high 11 tackles – including one for a loss – forced a fumble that K-State recovered and an interception in the fourth quarter to seal the win. He was the first Wildcat since 2002 to have double-digit tackles, a TFL, an interception and a forced fumble in the same game (Bryan Hickman vs. Iowa State). Following his performance against the Sooners, McPherson was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, the Nagurski Trophy Player of the Week, Thorpe Award Player of the Week and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week.