The Butkus Award, of course, named after Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, is handed out annually to the nation’s best linebacker. The award went to Georgia’s Roquan Smith last season and if the preseason watch list for the award is an indication, there’s an excellent chance the award once again goes to an SEC player in 2018.
The Butkus Award Preseason Watch List was released on Monday and it features 12 SEC players, three from Alabama alone. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Oct. 29, the finalists will be announced on Nov. 19 with the winner expected to be named in early December during the College Football Awards show.
The award has been given out annually since 1985.
Here is a complete list of SEC linebackers named to the preseason watch list:
Alabama
- Anfernee Jennings
- Dylan Moses
- Mack Wilson
Arkansas
- Dre Greenlaw
- De’Jon Harris
Auburn
- Deshaun Davis
Florida
- David Reese
Georgia
- D’Andre Walker
Kentucky
- Josh Allen
LSU
- Devin White
Missouri
- Terez Hall
Texas A&M
- Otaro Alaka
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
