TUCSON, Ariz. – With less than 100 days remaining until the Kevin Sumlin era kicks off, preseason college football awards and watch lists are beginning to roll in for the Arizona Wildcats.

Sophomore linebacker Colin Schooler is one of 42 candidates for the 15th annual Lott IMPACT Trophy, which honors defensive players who have had the biggest IMPACT on their teams on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

The 2017 Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, Schooler finished the season with 95 tackles, including four sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss – all of which came in Pac-12 Conference play. He intercepted a pass, returned one 66 yards for a touchdown, forced a fumble and broke up a pass, while finishing the season as a starter over the last nine contests. Last December, Schooler was named to freshman All-America teams by numerous outlets, including ESPN.com, USA Today and College Football News. He also earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in UA's upset of No. 15 Washington State last October.

Along with his inclusion to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list, Schooler is one of a handful of Wildcats named to the Athlon Sports preseason All-Pac-12 teams. Schooler and classmate LB/DE Kylan Wilborn are each on the second-team defense, while senior cornerback Jace Whittaker and sophomore linebacker Tony Fields II are third and fourth team honorees, respectively.

Offensively, junior quarterback Khalil Tate earns his way onto the first-team offense. Junior center Nathan Eldridge was tabbed as a second-team selection, while sophomore running back J.J. Taylor and senior left tackle Layth Friekh landed on the third team. Shun Brown, listed as a fourth team receiver, was recognized as a first-team pick as a punt returner.

Arizona opens its 2018 season at home against Brigham Young University on Saturday, Sept. 1. Season tickets are currently on sale with single game tickets available beginning June 2. For more ticket information, visit www.arizonawildcats.com/FB.

Lott IMPACT Trophy
LB Colin Schooler, Sophomore

Athlon Sports Preseason All-Pac-12 Teams

First Team
PR Shun Brown, Senior
QB Khalil Tate, Junior

Second Team
C Nathan Eldridge, Junior
LB Colin Schooler, Sophomore
LB Kylan Wilborn, Sophomore

Third Team
OT Layth Friekh, Senior
RB J.J. Taylor, Sophomore
CB Jace  Whittaker, Senior

Fourth Team
WR Shun Brown, Senior