Jones Makes Butkus Award Watch List

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Orange linebacker Mikel Jones is on the Preseason Watch List for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top linebacker.

Jones is one-of-seven ACC players on the list, which features a total of 51 selections. The 51 preseason selections were made by a panel of 51 coaches, scouts and journalists, corresponding with Dick Butkus' pro jersey number.

After leading all linebackers nationally with four interceptions last season, Jones earned the preseason notoriety by being one-of-two players nationally to create eight separate takeaways (interception, fumble recovery, forced fumble recovered by the defense) last season. He finished the year with 69 tackles, 2.0 TFLs,…