Nathaniel Watson Named To Butkus Award Watch List

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's Nathaniel Watson has been named to the watch list for the 39th annual Butkus Award, the Football Writers Association of America announced on Thursday. The Butkus Award is given annually to the best linebacker in college football.

Watson, nicknamed Bookie, is coming off a career year that saw him finish with 113 tackles. As one of the anchors to last year's defense that ranked seventh in the SEC in team defense, Watson finished second in the SEC in total tackles and third in tackles per game (8.69). Watson also had a knack for getting to the quarterback with six sacks, tied for the most on the team, while adding an interception to his season stat line. Watson has played 45 career games and has racked up 242 tackles with 11 sacks. Watson has also earned national recognition this preseason through the Nagurski Trophy watch list and a pair of preseason All-SEC honors.

The number of linebackers on the watch list, 51, is a nod to the storied "51" pro jersey worn by the award's namesake, Dick Butkus, who NFL Films named the greatest defensive player in football history. The Butkus Award recognizes the best linebackers in football.
The award semifinalists are expected to be named on Oct. 30, with finalists to follow on Nov. 20. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 6. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award.

Mississippi State will kickoff the 2023 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 2, when the Bulldogs host Southeastern Louisiana at 3 p.m. (CT). Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here or visiting hailstate.com/tickets.

2023 BUTKUS AWARD WATCH LIST
Jaishawn Barham, Maryland Michael Barrett, Michigan JD Bertrand, Notre Dame Tatum Bethune, Florida State Ben Bywater, BYU Abdul Carter, Penn State Barrett Carter, Clemson Aaron Casey, Indiana Steele Chambers, Ohio State Mason Cobb, USC Khari Coleman, Ole Miss Junior Colson, Michigan Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M Shaun Dolac, Buffalo Jamon Dumas-Johnson (F), Georgia Tommy Eichenberg (SF), Ohio State JaQues Evans, WKU Justin Flowe, Arizona Jaylan Ford, Texas Dallas Gant, Toledo Easton Gibbs, Wyoming Cedric Gray, North Carolina Cal Haladay, Michigan State Jason Henderson, Old Dominion Ty'Ron Hopper, Missouri Nick Jackson, Iowa Curtis Jacobs, Penn State Jestin Jacobs, Oregon Jason Johnson, UCF Tyrice Knight, UTEP Deontae Lawson, Alabama Marist Liufau, Notre Dame Jordan Magee, Temple Jackson Mitchell (SF), UConn Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia Darius Muasau, UCLA Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin Chris Paul Jr., Arkansas Harold Perkins Jr., LSU John Pius, William & Mary Tyreem Powell, Rutgers Karene Reid, Utah DJ Schramm, Boise State Jackson Sirmon, Cal Omar Speights, LSU Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson Trevin Wallace, Kentucky Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State Marlowe Wax, Syracuse Payton Wilson, N.C. State

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Nathaniel Watson Named To Butkus Award Watch List

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Nathaniel Watson

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