USC’s DL Jide Abasiri Named a Candidate for Major Award

USC football defensive tackle Jide Abasiri has been named as a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

The Lott Impact trophy was named after former USC great, Ronnie Lott. Lott,who is in the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, is widely considered as one of the best defensive players to ever play college or professional football.

The award doesn't just represent excellence on the football field, but is also a leadership award.

The award represents a player who best exemplifies all of the pillars of leadership. 

The Minnesota native had originally committed to play for the hometown Minnesota Gophers,  but flipped his commitment and decided to play for head coach Lincoln Riley.

As a freshman Abasiri made an impact appearing in 10 games and recording seven tackles.

Abasiri made a name for himself on the field in 2025, finishing the season with 26 tackles and 3.5 sacks. The third year player stands at 6-foot-5 280 lbs.

This season he has 16 tackles (3.5 for loss) including nine solo tackles. He also has one sack and two quarterback pressures. 

Abasiri has been stout in the middle for 6-1 USC. He makes plays in ways that do not show up in the stat sheet. He has excelled in freeing up others on defense by taking on double teams, or running great stunts with the other tackle or end (he plays both).

For USC this is just another honor in a long list of honors in the month of October. 

Jayden Maiva was named to the Johnny Unitas watchlist on October 8. This week Trent Mosley was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week. The offensive line was just named to the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll on October 15.

Head coach Lincoln Riley was also named to the Dodd Trophy Midseason watch list on October 13.

Abasiri has been dealing with injuries this season, causing him to play one snap against the Penn State Nittany Lions when road underdog USC upset Penn State in front of their largest crowd ever (114,000), in Beaver Stadium. 

Abasiri also represented defensive coordinators Gary Patterson defense at Big Ten Media Day, which was the first indication that he is absolutely viewed as a leader on the team.

The Lott IMPACT nominee is also a team captain for Riley team this season.

Abasiri’s greatness will be needed over the next six weeks. USC’s defensive line still has the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes and No.12 UCLA Bruins on it’s schedule.

Both of those team’s offensive lines have made the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll this season.

Abasiri and USC are walking a tightrope this season, but remain positioned to make the college football playoffs if they can finish the season with no more than two losses.

Abasiri and that up and down USC defense will be the key to making this happen in 2026.