Butkus Award watch list reveals Walker a candidate

CHICAGO – The search is underway for the nation's best linebacker. On Monday, the preseason watch list was announced for the Butkus Award and among the 51 candidates is Fresno State senior linebacker Mykal Walker.

The announcement marks the second watch list for Walker this summer as he was named to the Bednarik Award watch list on July 15. The Bednarik seeks out the nation's top defensive player.

The Butkus Award watch list contains 51 linebackers, 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.

Walker is one of 51 linebackers from 39 schools on the 2019 preseason list. He is one of five individuals from the Mountain West and one of three from the state of California (Evan Weaver, Cal & Kyahva Tezino, San Diego State).

For the complete list, visit www.thebutkusaward.com

A glance at Walker:

Started 14 of 14 games in his first season on the field for Fresno State in 2018 – transferred from Azusa Pacific.
Named an All-Mountain West first team selection as a junior playing defensive end.
Shifted to middle linebacker from defensive end during the spring of 2019.
Named the Defensive MVP of the 2018 Mountain West Championship game producing 12 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the win.
In 2018, owned the second-most tackles on the team with 87 behind MW Defensive Player of the Year Jeff Allison.
Led all defensive linemen in the Mountain West in tackles per game in 2018, averaging 6.1 per game.

Flashback
A year ago, then-junior linebacker Jeff Allison was named to the preseason Butkus Award watch list. Allison declared early for the NFL Draft and is now a member of the New York Jets organization.

The Butkus Award
Formed in 1985, the Butkus Award was expanded in 2008 to honor linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. They include the I Play Clean® initiative promoting training and nutrition instead of performance-enhancing drugs, and the Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative encouraging early cardiovascular screening among adults.

The Butkus Award, www.thebutkusaward.com and on Facebook at 51.butkus, is presented by the nonprofit Butkus Foundation. Selectors and selection criteria are located on the official website. Search social media for #butkusaward2019.

The Butkus Award® is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. NCFAA's 25 awards have honored more than 800 recipients since 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org for more information.

Semifinalists will be named Nov. 4, finalists Nov. 25, and winners on or before Dec.10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award.

The following is the entire 2019 preseason watch list calendar:

Monday, July 15: Bednarik Award & Maxwell Award
Tuesday, July 16: Davey O'Brien Award
Wednesday, July 17: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 18: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 19: Mackey Award & Rimington Award
Monday, July 22: Thorpe Award & Butkus Award
Tuesday, July 23: Outland Trophy & Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 24: Groza Award & Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 25: Hornung Award & Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 26: Walter Camp Award

The 2019 season opens in Bulldog Stadium in 47 days, grab your tickets today:

Season tickets, starting as low as $99 - link
4-game mini plan (Minnesota plus 3 games) - link
3-game mini plan - link
Group ticket discounts and tailgate space - link
$79 Bulldog Pass for faculty, staff and young alumni - link
Mad Duck 10-Pack - link
Minnesota single game tickets on sale now - link

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

Butkus Award watch list reveals Walker a candidate

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