Northwestern star defensive back Robert Fitzgerald continues to gain national recognition, this time being named a semi-finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy given to college football's most impactful defensive player.

The senior is one of nine semi-finalists that include Texas linebacker Rasheem Biles, Georgia safety KJ Bolden, Tennessee defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton, Texas Tech defensive tackle AJ Holmes, Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore, UCLA linebacker Sammy Omosigho, and Oregon defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei.

Robert Fitzgerald Named Semi-Finalist for Lott IMPACT Trophy

Fitzgerald's stellar season has come with 56 tackles and three interceptions in just five games, including a pick-six against Ball State. He came into the season with serious buzz, having been named to the preseason Bednarik Award Watch List (nation’s best defensive player), The Athletic's preseason All-Big Ten team, and voted by his teammates to wear the esteemed number one jersey as the player who "embodies what it means most to be a Wildcat."

He has delivered on the hype, earning his spot among the best defensive players in the sport. Fitzgerald helped Northwestern to a 4-1 start and earned midseason All-American recognition before suffering a foot injury in the October 10th victory over Ball State.

He was sidelined for three weeks in a walking boot, missing the 24-21 win over Michigan State, the 42-14 win over Rutgers, and 34-26 loss to Oregon. Returning to the secondary last week against Iowa, Fitzgerald gritted through the injury to record seven tackles and an interception, making it three straight games with a pick for the senior captain.

The praise for Fitzgerald will surely continue throughout the remaining schedule and extend into the winter when he will become a popular name for NFL Draft season. Charted on a graph of snaps per target and forced incompletion rate, Fitzgerald stood out as an outlier among draft eligible safeties (per Newt Westen).

His strong cover skills and ability to fly downhill will be tested on Saturday as the Wildcats travel to Columbus to take on the 21st ranked Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Fitzgerald will draw the tough assignment of containing Heisman candidate Jeremiah Smith and eliminating the big play. Smith has 1,200 yard and 14 touchdowns on 69 catches this year but has been unable to will his team to victory in the last two weeks without quarterback Julian Sayin.

With backup QB Luke Fahey set for another start, the Buckeyes will almost certainly look to get their star wide receiver in a rhythm early to help snap a two-game losing streak. Fitzgerald, on the other side, will look to spoil this plan.