COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Three Mountain West football players are among the 51 student-athletes on the 2024 Butkus Award preseason watch list, as announced today. The award honors the top collegiate linebacker.

Boise State junior Andrew Simpson, UNLV senior Jackson Woodard and Wyoming graduate Shae Suiaunoa represent the Mountain West on the watch list.

The MW’s three players on the watch list are fifth-most in the FBS, trailing only the Big Ten, SEC, ACC and Big 12.

The 51 linebackers named to the watch list is a nod to the storied “51” pro jersey won by the award’s namesake, the late Dick Butkus. His tenacious leadership from the middle linebacker position earned him acclaim by NFL Films as the greatest defensive player in football history.

Award semifinalists are expected to be named Nov. 4, with finalists named Nov. 25 and the winner named by Dec. 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2024 Butkus Award winners at the high school, college and pro level will be honored at an event planned for early 2025 at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois.

The 51-person Butkus Award selection committee comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process emphasizing qualities that defined Dick Butkus’ career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills. The award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form.

About the Butkus Award: Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. Causes include Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative encouraging early cardiovascular screening among adults, and the I Play Clean® initiative encouraging athletes to train naturally without performance-enhancing drugs. A 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process. The Butkus Foundation has presented the high school and professional awards since 2008. The collegiate award is now in its 40th season.

Butkus Award Watch List (MW representatives)
Andrew Simpson, Jr., Boise State
Jackson Woodard, Sr., UNLV
Shae Suiaunoa, Gr., Wyoming