Safety Delano Howell and linebacker Shayne Skov were two of the 42 players placed on the Lott IMPACT award watch list yesterday. The award is voted on by more than 200 former collegiate players and is given annually to the nation’s top defensive player.

As a junior last season, Howell was a second team All-Pac-10 selection. He had 60 tackles and led the Cardinal defense with five interceptions. The Newhall, Calif. native enters his senior season having started 23 games in the Cardinal secondary.

Skov, a sophomore last season, led the Cardinal defense with 84 tackles and tied for the team lead in sacks with 7.5. He was also named an honorable mention All-Pac-10 selection for the second consecutive season.

IMPACT stands for integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity—traits that Ronnie Lott, the man for whom the award is named, stands for.