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The SEC is known for producing top-tier talent at every position across the board, and that remains true when it comes to linebackers. Out of 51 candidates, a grand total of 12 were named to the preseason Butkus Award watch list on Tuesday.
Named in honor of College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, the Butkus Award is given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. In 2015, Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith took home the prestigious achievement.
It’s worth noting that three out of four from Alabama’s projected starting group has made the cut.
Below are this year’s candidates (SEC players are in bold):
Ryan Anderson, University of Alabama
Kendall Beckwith, Louisiana State University
Vince Biegel, University of Wisconsin
Dante Booker, The Ohio State University
Ben Boulware, Clemson University
Tyus Bowser, University of Houston
Richie Brown, Mississippi State University
Riley Bullough, Michigan State University
Jason Cabinda, Penn State University
Jeff Camilli, Fresno State University
Lorenzo Carter, University of Georgia
Jermaine Carter, University of Maryland
Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt University
Kevin Davis, Colorado State University
Jarrad Davis, University of Florida
Nick DeLuca, North Dakota State University
Brooks Ellis, University of Arkansas
Jordan Evans, University of Oklahoma
Devonte’ Fields, University of Louisville
Salamo Fiso, Arizona State University
Reuben Foster, University of Alabama
T.J. Holloman, University of South Carolina
Travin Howard, Texas Christian University
Shane Huber, University of Massachusetts
Malik Jefferson, University of Texas
Josey Jewell, University of Iowa
Peter Kalambayi, Stanford University
Harvey Kangi, Brigham Young University
Keith Kelsey, University of Louisville
Micah Kiser, University of Virginia
Elijah Lee, Kansas State University
Raekwon McMillan, The Ohio State University
Matt Milano, Boston College
Charmeachealle Moore, Kansas State University
Nyles Morgan, University of Notre Dame
Calvin Munson, San Diego State University
Hardy Nickerson, University of Illinois
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, University of Tennessee
T.J. Ricks, Old Dominion University
Auggie Sanchez, University of South Florida
Michael Scherer, University of Missouri
Cameron Smith, University of Southern California
Steven Taylor, University of Houston
Austin Valdez, Bowling Green University
Tanner Vallejo, Boise State University
Azeem Victor, University of Washington
Anthony Walker, Northwestern University
Nyeem Warman-White, Penn State University
Tim Williams, University of Alabama
Eric Wilson, University of Cincinnati
Taylor Young, Baylor University
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
