TUCSON, Ariz. – In the award's 40th season, Arizona linebacker
Jacob Manu joins the Butkus Award Watch List, as announced today by the organization.
Manu joins, for the first time, 51 linebackers on the watch list for the Butkus Award, which honors the nation's best linebacker. The 51 linebackers named to the watch list is a nod to the storied "51" pro jersey won by the award's namesake, the late Dick Butkus. His tenacious leadership from the middle linebacker position earned him acclaim by NFL Films as the greatest defensive player in football history.
Manu led the Pac-12 with 116 total tackles in 2023 and earned AP First-Team All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 First Team honors following a record season. He adds the Butkus Award Watch List to a growing list of preseason accolades that include the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and All-Big 12 Team.
Candidates for the collegiate Butkus Award represent 44 colleges and universities from across the country. The list includes two returning semi-finalists from 2023: Deontae Lawson of Alabama and Jay Higgins of Iowa. The watch list by conference includes Big Ten (16), SEC (12), ACC (7) and Big 12 (7), along with candidates from four other conferences and an independent program. Seven schools are represented by teammates, including Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, South Carolina, and Utah.
Award semi-finalists are expected to be named November 4, with finalists named November 25 and the winner named by December 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2024 Butkus Award winners at the high school, college and pro level will be honored at an event planned for early 2025 at Memorial Stadium at the University of = Illinois as part of the Big Ten Network television special.
The 51-person Butkus Award selection committee comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process emphasizing qualities that defined Dick Butkus' career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills. The Award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form.
About the Butkus Award: Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. Causes include Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative encouraging early cardiovascular screening among adults, and the I Play Clean® initiative encouraging athletes to train naturally without performance enhancing drugs. A 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process. The Butkus Foundation has presented the high school and professional awards since 2008. The collegiate award is now in its 40th season.
Arizona opens the season against New Mexico at 7:30 p.m. MST at Arizona Stadium. The game will be broadcast by ESPN.
