The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Football’s Biles named to Butkus Award watch list
08.13.2026 | Football
The Butkus Award is presented each year to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker.
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Football senior linebacker Rasheem Biles has been named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award for the second-straight season, the Butkus Foundation announced Thursday. The Butkus Award is presented each year to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
Last season, former UT linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. was named a finalist for the Butkus Award. Hill was the first finalist for the award since Sergio Kindle in 2009. Derrick Johnson won the award in 2004 after being a finalist for it in 2003. Current UT freshman linebacker Tyler Atkinson won the 2025 Butkus High School Award as a senior.
In addition to the Butkus Award, Biles has been selected to the preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Biles is a Walter Camp preseason First-Team All-America selection and preseason First-Team All-SEC honoree.
Biles is a senior linebacker who transferred to Texas from Pitt in spring 2026. The Columbus, Ohio, native played three seasons at Pitt (2023-25) and saw action in 31 games with 19 starts. Biles was a Second-Team All-ACC selection last season after making 10 starts at linebacker and led the nation with 1.70 tackles for loss per game. His 17.0 total tackles for loss tied for the eighth-most in the FBS last season. The Columbus, Ohio, native led the Panthers with 101 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, six pass break-ups, two interceptions (returned for 85 yards and two touchdowns) and forced two fumbles. Biles delivered 11 stops and broke up a pass against Central Michigan on Sept. 6. He contributed 14 tackles at West Virginia on Sept. 13 and made six tackles and returned an interception for 75 yards for a touchdown against Louisville on Sept. 27. Against Boston College on Oct. 4, Biles forced a fumble, had a sack and recorded three tackles. He had a split-sack among nine total tackles vs. Notre Dame on Nov. 15 and returned a 10-yard interception for a touchdown against the Irish. He posted 15 tackles at Georgia Tech on Nov. 22 followed by a career-high 16-tackle performance vs. East Carolina in the Go Bowling Military Bowl on Dec. 27. He also forced and recovered a fumble and broke up a pass in the bowl game.
Semifinalists for the 2026 Butkus Award will be announced on Oct. 28, and finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 20. The winner will be revealed during the week of Dec. 7. Selection is based on performance throughout the season, and appearance on the preseason watch list is not required for a player to win the award.
The recipient will be recognized during the Butkus Award celebration in early 2027 and featured in the annual Big Ten Network Butkus Award special.
Texas opens the 2026 season vs. Texas State at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 5, at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. The game will broadcast on ESPN.
