BYU linebacker Cade Uluave has been named a candidate for the 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy, according to a May 22 announcement. The award recognizes the top defensive player nationally who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.
The Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List was revealed at a luncheon held May 20 at The Pacific Club in Newport Beach, California. Uluave is one of nine linebackers recognized on the preseason list, which also includes 17 defensive backs and 16 defensive linemen among its total of 42 players.
Named after former NFL Hall of Fame star Ronnie Lott, the trophy honors a Defensive Player of the Year who demonstrates Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity—qualities that defined Lott’s career. The annual winner is selected by a national voter panel made up of former winners, media members, coaches and members of The IMPACT Foundation’s Board of Directors. The winner will be announced at a gala black-tie event at The Pacific Club on December 9.
Uluave is in his first year at BYU after transferring from Cal. Standing six-foot-one and weighing 235 pounds, he played in 34 games for Cal over three seasons with 26 starts. Last season he led Cal with 100 tackles and recorded additional statistics including tackles for loss and quarterback hurries. Over his college career so far he has amassed more than two hundred tackles along with sacks, interceptions and forced fumbles.
His previous honors include being named First-Team All-ACC in 2025 as well as receiving All-ACC honorable mention in 2024. As a freshman in college football he earned several awards including Freshman All-American recognition from multiple organizations.
Before college, Uluave attended Mountain Ridge High School in Herriman, Utah where he excelled both defensively—with over one hundred fifty tackles—and offensively—rushing for more than sixteen hundred yards during his high school career.
