Hardy Nickerson named to Butkus award watch list

Having previously been named a preseason candidate for both the Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy – awards for college football’s top defensive player – Wisconsin senior Vince Biegel added recognition from the Butkus Award for the nation’s best linebacker to his resume on Tuesday. Cabinda and Wartman-White hope to join Paul Posluszny (2005) and LaVar Arrington (1999) as award winners for Dear Old State.

The Dick Butkus Award is handed out to the nation’s best linebacker every year, it will be the 32nd time the hardware has been given away.

Smith excited as a true freshman, starting ten games before missing the remainder of the season with a knee injury he suffered against Colorado. LaVar Arrington also won the award in 1999, and five have previously been named finalists: Shane Conlan (1986), Andre Collins (1989), Brandon Short (1999), Posluszny (2006) and Dan Connor (2007). He appeared in all 13 games, recording double-digit tackles in four outings with a career-high 18 as UC captured the Victory Bell against rival Miami (Ohio), earning American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week. He also had six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine quarterback hurries.

Recognizable names from the watch list include Arizona State’s Salamo Fiso, Stanford’s Peter Kalambayi, Notre Dame’s Nyles Morgan, and Washington’s Azeem Victor. Appearance on the watch list is not required to become a semi-finalist.