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Josh Allen Named to Butkus Award Preseason Watch List
Kentucky
senior Josh Allen has been named to the 2018 Butkus Award® Preseason
Watch List for the second consecutive season, it was announced today.
Allen is one of 51 collegiate linebackers on the 34th annual list,
mirroring the legendary “51” pro jersey associated with the Award’s
namesake Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best
defensive player in football history.
As a
6-foot-5, 260-pound linebacker, Allen totaled 65 tackles in 2017,
ranking fourth on the team. He was a key cog in helping guide the
Wildcats to their second-straight bowl appearance, the first time UK
had achieved that in eight years, since 2008-09. He also had a
team-high 9.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks, a team-high four quarterback
hurries, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one interception.
Allen,
a native of Montclair, N.J., was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award in
2017. He also was named second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press
last season and was a third-team All-SEC choice by Phil Steele.
Allen
is also on the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which has been
presented to the top defensive player in college football since 1995.
Semifinalists will be named October 29, finalists November 19, and winners will be notified on or before December 4.
Formed
in 1985, the Butkus Award was expanded in 2008 to honor linebackers at
three levels while helping spread the word about Butkus’ I Play Clean®
initiative which encourages teens to eat well, train hard, and play
with attitude without resorting to performance-enhancing drugs.
The
Butkus Award, www.thebutkusaward.com and on Facebook at 51.butkus, is
presented by the nonprofit Butkus Foundation. Selectors and selection
criteria is located on the official website. Search social media for
#butkusaward2018.
The Butkus Award is a
member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA)
which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. Its
member-awards have honored more than 800 since 1935. Visit
www.NCFAA.org for more information.
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