Fresno State Athletics
McGill Named to Butkus Award Watch List
8/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 21, 2003
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, the presenters of the prestigious Butkus Award, awarded annually to college football's most outstanding linebacker, today announced the 2003 Butkus Award Watch List. Fresno State's Bryce McGill was one of the players named to the list.
This year's Butkus Award Watch List includes 90 noteworthy candidates -- including four others from WAC schools -- that represent schools and conferences from across the nation. The independent selection committee for the 2003 Butkus Award, comprised of 26 of the nation's foremost media members, is solely responsible for all voting in the selection process.
McGill began the 2002 season as a strong safety but moved to outside linebacker after four games due to injuries which cost the Bulldogs all three of their starting linebackers. McGill immediately took to the new position, racking up 13 tackles against Rice in his first ever start at linebacker. He finished the year with 78 tackles, good for fourth on the team, including 12 tackles for loss and six sacks.
The Bakersfield, Calif., native was honored for his solid 2002 campaign by being named second-team All-WAC.
Other linebackers from Western Athletic Conference schools named to the watch list were: Brian Bischoff, SMU; Daryl Towns, Nevada; Jeff Vanover, Rice; and Tim Woodard, UTEP.
Butkus Award Selection Committee members have started evaluating the candidates and will continue their review throughout the entire football season. Additional Watch List candidates may be added as the season progresses. Voting for the three Butkus Award finalists and the Butkus Award winner will be conducted by confidential ballots of the selection committee.
The Butkus Award Watch List will be trimmed to 10 semifinalists on Oct. 16. That list will be cut down to three finalists, who will be announced via a national teleconference with players, coaches, media members and Butkus Award officials on Thursday, November 13. The winner will be announced Friday, December 12, 2003 at the Butkus Award? Gala in Orlando, FL.
Created in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando Inc., the Butkus Award carries the name and support of one of the greatest middle linebackers in football history, Dick Butkus. The Butkus Award is regarded as one of the most elite individual honors in college football. Past recipients include such outstanding linebackers as:
E.J. Henderson (2002-Maryland); Rocky Calmus (2001-Oklahoma); Dan Morgan (2000- Miami, FL); LaVar Arrington (1999-Penn State); Chris Claiborne (1998-Southern California); Andy Katzenmoyer (1997-Ohio State); Matt Russell (1996 Colorado); Kevin Hardy (1995-Illinois); Dana Howard (1994-Illinois); Trev Alberts (1993-Nebraska); Marvin Jones (1992-Florida State); Erick Anderson (1991-Michigan); Alfred Williams (1990-Colorado); Percy Snow (1989-Michigan State); Derrick Thomas (1988-Alabama); Paul McGowan (1997-Florida State); and Brian Bosworth (1985 and 1986-Oklahoma).
