Since becoming an award for college linebackers the Butkus Award has been won by four Alabama linebackers three of which came during the Saban era. When the watch list was announced three Alabama players were listed out of the 51 players on the list. Alabama was the only school that had three linebackers on the watch list.
Anfernee Jennings, Dylan Moses, and Mack Wilson were listed on the preseason award list and the three linebackers are ready to return to the football field with an expanded role. Moses and Wilson both started games last year while Jennings was a big part of limiting the rushing attack on Clemson’s offense in the Sugar Bowl.