Upcoming Event: Football versus Tulane on September 5, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
Football
vs Tulane
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Mergott Earns Place on Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
5/28/2026 12:18:00 PM | Football
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has placed Duke redshirt junior linebacker Luke Mergott on the 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. Mergott is one of 42 student-athletes nominated for the 23rd annual Lott IMPACT Trophy, which honors the top defensive player in college football who makes the biggest impact for his team, both on and off the field.
Mergott, a 6-3, 225-pound product of Berlin, Maryland, is a two-time Academic All-ACC selection (2024-25). He is one of five returning student-athletes in the ACC to have booked 85 or more tackles in 2025. In 32 career games with 10 starts, Mergott has carded 107 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, three pass breakups and nine quarterback pressures.
Last fall, Mergott was thrust into the starting role in week five due to injuries and thrived. He sealed the ACC Championship Game and Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl victories with fourth-quarter interceptions. On the first play of Virginia's overtime possession in the league title game, Mergott intercepted a pass to end the contest. Mergott then picked off Arizona State's Jeff Sims with 1:57 to play in the fourth quarter of the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, allowing Duke to run out the clock and claim the bowl crown.
In his career, Mergott has compiled two or more tackles on 17 career occasions, five or more in 10 games and 10 or more three times with a career-high 12 against Clemson in 2025. He has posted 1.0 or more TFL on five occasions with a career-best 1.5 against Georgia Tech and Virginia during the regular season in 2025. Mergott recorded a career-high three quarterback pressures NC State in 2025 and added two versus Virginia in the ACC Championship Game. He also recovered two fumbles against Wake Forest in 2025, tied for the second most in a game in program history.
Duke's most recent finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy was linebacker Ben Humphreys in 2017. The Blue Devils also had finalists for the award in 2014 and 2015, with linebacker David Helton and safety Jeremy Cash, respectively, being honored. In 2020, Victor Dimukeje represented Duke as a semifinalist for the prestigious award.
Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy annually goes 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. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career.
Â
The annual winner is selected by a national voter panel, consisting of former winners, members of the media, coaches and members of the Board of Directors of The IMPACT® Foundation. The recipient is announced at a December black-tie event at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
Â
#GoDuke
Â
Mergott, a 6-3, 225-pound product of Berlin, Maryland, is a two-time Academic All-ACC selection (2024-25). He is one of five returning student-athletes in the ACC to have booked 85 or more tackles in 2025. In 32 career games with 10 starts, Mergott has carded 107 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, three pass breakups and nine quarterback pressures.
Last fall, Mergott was thrust into the starting role in week five due to injuries and thrived. He sealed the ACC Championship Game and Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl victories with fourth-quarter interceptions. On the first play of Virginia's overtime possession in the league title game, Mergott intercepted a pass to end the contest. Mergott then picked off Arizona State's Jeff Sims with 1:57 to play in the fourth quarter of the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, allowing Duke to run out the clock and claim the bowl crown.
In his career, Mergott has compiled two or more tackles on 17 career occasions, five or more in 10 games and 10 or more three times with a career-high 12 against Clemson in 2025. He has posted 1.0 or more TFL on five occasions with a career-best 1.5 against Georgia Tech and Virginia during the regular season in 2025. Mergott recorded a career-high three quarterback pressures NC State in 2025 and added two versus Virginia in the ACC Championship Game. He also recovered two fumbles against Wake Forest in 2025, tied for the second most in a game in program history.
Duke's most recent finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy was linebacker Ben Humphreys in 2017. The Blue Devils also had finalists for the award in 2014 and 2015, with linebacker David Helton and safety Jeremy Cash, respectively, being honored. In 2020, Victor Dimukeje represented Duke as a semifinalist for the prestigious award.
Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy annually goes 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. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity, all characteristics exhibited by Lott during his illustrious playing career.
Â
The annual winner is selected by a national voter panel, consisting of former winners, members of the media, coaches and members of the Board of Directors of The IMPACT® Foundation. The recipient is announced at a December black-tie event at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
Â
#GoDuke
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballThrough the Sewer: Episode 2 - Durham to the Draft
Wednesday, May 27
The Story of Jeremiah Hasley
Tuesday, April 28
Jeremiah Hasley Spring Practice Mic Up
Friday, April 10
Rodney Freeman II Introduction Feature
Friday, April 03
