While not nearly as extensive as the other one released Tuesday, an award honoring outstanding linebacking play is the latest indicator that the start of a new season is right around the corner.
Earlier today, the Butkus Award revealed the 51 players who make up its initial preseason watch list. Last year’s winner, UCLA’s Eric Kendricks, is off to the NFL.
Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith and Arizona’s Scooby Wright, 2014 finalists, are also on the list, as are 2014 semifinalists Myles Jack (UCLA), Jordan Jenkins (Georgia), Reggie Ragland (Alabama) and Eric Striker (Oklahoma).
While we don’t yet know who will win the 2015 Butkus, we do know who won’t: Kelby Brown. The Duke linebacker sustained the fourth ACL tear of his collegiate career last month, effectively ending his playing career.
Below are all of the players on the preseason Butkus Award watch list.
Dominique Alexander, Oklahoma
Kendall Beckwith, LSU
Zeek Bigger, East Carolina
Joe Bolden, Michigan
Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
Richie Brown, Mississippi State
Kelby Brown, Duke
James Burgess, Louisville
De’Vondre Campbell, Minnesota
Su’a Cravens, USC
Brooks Ellis, Arkansas
Kyler Fackrell, Utah State
Travis Feeney, Washington
Leonard Floyd, Georgia
Josh Forrest, Kentucky
Kris Frost, Auburn
Darien Harris, Michigan
Myles Jack, UCLA
Cory James, Colorado State
Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
C.J. Johnson, Ole Miss
Peter Kalambayi, Stanford
Raphael Kierby, Miami
Carl Lawson, Auburn
Cory Littleton, Washington
Antonio Longino, Arizona State
Curt Maggitt, Tennessee
Blake Martinez, Stanford
Tyler Matakevich, Temple
Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn
Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
Mason Monheim, Illinois
Nyles Morgan, Notre Dame
Antonio Morrison, Florida
Yannick Ngakoue, Maryland
Jared Norris, Utah
Reggie Northup, Florida State
Montese Overton, East Carolina
Joshua Perry, Ohio State
Reggie Ragland, Alabama
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee
Luke Rhodes, William & Mary
Pete Robertson, Texas Tech
James Ross, Michigan
Anthony Sarao, USC
Michael Scherer, Missouri
Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Terrance Smith, Florida State
Eric Striker, Oklahoma
Jason Wittingham, Utah
Scooby Wright III, Arizona