Alabama leads with three on Butkus list
Alabama keeps raking in the preseason praise.
Thursday, the Tide had three players -- Dont'a Hightower, Nico Johnson and Courtney Upshaw -- make the Butkus Award watch list, which was tops in the country. The award is given annually to the nation’s best linebacker.
Florida tied with nine other schools with two candidates on the list in Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins.
One adjustment to the list that I would make is replace Johnson with teammate C.J. Mosley. Johnson was solid last season, playing in all 13 games and earning six starts at middle linebacker. He also finished with 33 tackles and an interception, but Mosley was third on the team with 67 tackles, after making just three starts in 13 games. He also recorded two interceptions, including one that went for a touchdown in 2010.
Mosley is athletic enough that he's going to make plays all over the field. He'll continue to get a lot of playing time on Alabama's defense this fall.
The youngster needs some love!
Of the 51 linebackers to make the watch list, nine came from the SEC.
Here is the complete list of SEC athletes to make the list:
- Ryan Baker, LSU
- Jon Bostic, Florida
- Jerry Franklin, Arkansas
- Dont'a Hightower, Alabama
- Jelani Jenkins, Florida
- Nico Johnson, Alabama
- Chris Marve, Vanderbilt
- Danny Trevathan, Kentucky
- Courtney Upshaw, Alabama
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