Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Harris named to Butkus Award Watch List
7/24/2018 9:47:00 AM | Football
CHICAGO – (July 23, 2018) – The Butkus Award® honoring the nation's best linebackers kicked off its 34th annual selection process on Monday by announcing its collegiate and high school pre-season watch lists. Middle Tennessee senior linebacker Darius Harris made the elite list after a stellar junior campaign.
Harris enjoyed a career year in 2017 with 64 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, a personal-best 4.5 sacks, six breakups and a fumble return for a touchdown. Harris was also voted the MVP of the Camellia Bowl.
Each watch list contains 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey associated with the Award's namesake Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history.
The Collegiate Butkus Award watch list includes candidates from 41 universities, including returning finalists Devin Bush of Michigan and T.J. Edwards of Wisconsin, and returning semi-finalists Josh Allen of Kentucky and Cameron Smith of USC.
Semi-finalists will be named October 29, finalists November 19, and winners will be notified on or before December 4.
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 without resorting to performance-enhancing drugs.
The Butkus Award, www.thebutkusaward.com and on Facebook at 51.butkus, is presented by the nonprofit Butkus Foundation. Selectors and selection criteria is located on the official website. Search social media for #butkusaward2018.
The Butkus Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. Its member-awards have honored more than 800 since 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org for more information.
Harris enjoyed a career year in 2017 with 64 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, a personal-best 4.5 sacks, six breakups and a fumble return for a touchdown. Harris was also voted the MVP of the Camellia Bowl.
Each watch list contains 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey associated with the Award's namesake Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history.
The Collegiate Butkus Award watch list includes candidates from 41 universities, including returning finalists Devin Bush of Michigan and T.J. Edwards of Wisconsin, and returning semi-finalists Josh Allen of Kentucky and Cameron Smith of USC.
Semi-finalists will be named October 29, finalists November 19, and winners will be notified on or before December 4.
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 without resorting to performance-enhancing drugs.
The Butkus Award, www.thebutkusaward.com and on Facebook at 51.butkus, is presented by the nonprofit Butkus Foundation. Selectors and selection criteria is located on the official website. Search social media for #butkusaward2018.
The Butkus Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. Its member-awards have honored more than 800 since 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org for more information.
Players Mentioned
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