CHICAGO – The 32nd annual honoring the nation’s best linebackers kicked off its 2016 selection process today by announcing its collegiate preseason watch list.
Mirroring the legendary “51” pro jersey of the award’s namesake Dick Butkus whom NFL Films considers the best defensive player in football history, each watch list features 51 players who will be reviewed by a 51-person selection panel of deeply experienced coaches, talent evaluators and journalists who vote by private ballot. Appearance on the watch list is not required to become a semifinalist.
The Collegiate Butkus Award watch list includes candidates from 44 universities. It includes one returning finalist, Raekwon McMillan of Ohio State, who won the 2013 national high school Butkus Award.
Semifinalists will be named Oct. 31, finalists Nov. 21, and winners will be notified on or before Dec. 6.
The 2015 Butkus Award winners:
- Professional: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
- Collegiate: Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame (now Dallas Cowboys)
- High School: Caleb Kelly, Clovis West, Calif. (now Oklahoma)
MORE: Check here for full preseason watch lists
Formed in 1985, the Butkus Award was expanded in 2008 to honor linebackers at three levels while helping spread the word about Butkus’ I Play Clean™ initiative which encourages teens to eat well, train hard, and play with attitude instead of resorting to performance-enhancing drugs. More information is available at .
The Butkus Award, and on Facebook at 51.butkus, is presented by the Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. The Butkus Award is part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which includes the 22 most prestigious awards in college football with 722 years of selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org for more information.
| Player | School |
|---|---|
| Ryan Anderson | Alabama |
| Kendall Beckwith | LSU |
| Vince Biegel | Wisconsin |
| Dante Booker | Ohio State |
| Ben Boulware | Clemson |
| Tyus Bowser | Houston |
| Richie Brown | Mississippi State |
| Riley Bullough | Michigan State |
| Jason Cabinda | Penn State |
| Jeff Camilli | Fresno State |
| Lorenzo Carter | Georgia |
| Jermaine Carter | Maryland |
| Zach Cunningham | Vanderbilt |
| Kevin Davis | Colorado State |
| Jarrad Davis | Florida |
| Nick DeLuca | North Dakota State |
| Brooks Ellis | Arkansas |
| Jordan Evans | Oklahoma |
| Devonte' Fields | Louisville |
| Salamo Fiso | Arizona State |
| Reuben Foster | Alabama |
| T.J. Holloman | South Carolina |
| Travin Howard | TCU |
| Shane Huber | Massachusetts |
| Malik Jefferson | Texas |
| Josey Jewell | Iowa |
| Peter Kalambayi | Stanford |
| Harvey Langi | BYU |
| Keith Kelsey | Louisville |
| Micah Kiser | Virginia |
| Elijah Lee | Kansas State |
| Raekwon McMillan | Ohio State |
| Matt Milano | Boston College |
| Charmeachealle Moore | Kansas State |
| Nyles Morgan | Notre Dame |
| Calvin Munson | San Diego State |
| Hardy Nickerson | Illinois |
| Jalen Reeves-Maybin | Tennessee |
| T.J. Ricks | Old Dominion |
| Auggie Sanchez | South Florida |
| Michael Scherer | Missouri |
| Cameron Smith | USC |
| Steven Taylor | Houston |
| Austin Valdez | Bowling Green |
| Tanner Vallejo | Boise State |
| Azeem Victor | Washington |
| Anthony Walker | Northwestern |
| Nyeem Warman-White | Penn State |
| Tim Williams | Alabama |
| Eric Wilson | Cincinnati |
| Taylor Young | Baylor |
