Kansas State junior defensive back Denzel Goolsby was one of 42 players across the country to be named to the 2018 watch list for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation announced. This is according to a release from K-State.
Goolsby’s accolade marks the seventh-straight season a Wildcat has been up for the award, joining Arthur Brown (2012 finalist), Ty Zimmerman (2013), Ryan Mueller (2014 quarterfinalist), Dante Barnett (2015 and 2016) and D.J. Reed (2017).
This is the 15th year the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has presented the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which goes to the student-athlete who exhibits the characteristics displayed by Ronnie Lott during his legendary college and professional careers. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.
A 13-game starter at safety in 2017, Goolsby finished third on the team with 78 tackles to go along with four pass breakups and two interceptions. He also recorded a forced fumble and two recoveries, the latter tying for first in the Big 12 and 26th nationally.
A product of Wichita, Kansas, Goolsby was named the 2017 Cactus Bowl Defensive MVP after recording a timely forced fumble and recovery, setting up a short field and K-State’s go-ahead touchdown en route to a Wildcat victory over UCLA. He picked off his first-career pass against Oklahoma when he ripped the ball away from the receiver in the end zone, while he tallied another against West Virginia.
Voted a player representative by his teammates for the 2018 season, Goolsby is a two-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, including earning first-team honors a year ago. He is passionate about the Big Brothers Big Sister program as he spends time with his little, Shannon, and he also encouraged some of his teammates to sign up for the program.
Additionally, Goolsby has volunteered his time for Senior Kats (visiting local retirement homes), Cats in the Classroom (volunteering at local elementary schools) and Special Olympics Sports Day at K-State.
