The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Jefferson Named To Butkus Award Watch List
07.12.2016 | Football
Butkus Award annually recognizes the nation's top linebacker
AUSTIN, Texas – Sophomore linebacker Malik Jefferson (Mesquite, Texas) has been named to the 2016 Preseason Watch List for the Butkus Award, given annually to the best linebacker in college football. Jefferson has also garnered recognition as a Preseason All-American and as a member of the watch lists for the Bednarik Trophy and Nagurski Trophy.
The preseason honors come on the heels of a standout freshman season. Jefferson, who was selected as a freshman All-American a season ago by the Football Writers Associaton of America, Sporting News and USA Today, played in 11 games for the Longhorns. He finished the season with 61 tackles, six pressures and seven tackles for loss, earning the Big 12 Conference's Defensive Freshman of the Year honors. He also earned honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition.
Ranked as the top player in the state of Texas coming out of high school, Jefferson began his career with a strong performance at Notre Dame a season ago, totaling nine tackles and season-high 2.5 tackles for loss. The following week, he helped the Longhorns to their first win of the season, registering nine tackles, one TFL and four pressures, while also returning a fumble for 26 yards and a touchdown against Rice. For the third straight week to begin the season, Jefferson tallied nine takedowns in a one-point loss to Cal. In addition to an impressive start to his career, Jefferson totaled six tackles in a win against Oklahoma to earn Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Jefferson looks to join a prestigious group of Longhorns who have either won the Butkus Award or finished as finalists. Derrick Johnson won the Butkus Award, which began in 1985, following a standout 2004 season. Johnson was also a finalist in 2003, while DE/LB Sergio Kindle was a finalist in 2009.
