CHICAGO — The Butkus Foundation released the preseason candidates for the 2018 Butkus Award Monday, naming Arkansas linebackers Dre Greenlaw and De’Jon Harris to the watch list.
The award is given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. The Watch list consists of 51 linebackers. Semifinalists will be announced October 29, with finalists named November 19.
Arkansas joins Alabama as the only programs from the Southeastern Conference with multiple athletes on the list. A total of eight programs nationwide had two or more linebackers named to the preseason watch list.
The duo were the only SEC teammates to each record 100 or more tackles in 2017. Arkansas is one of six other Football Bowl Subdivision programs to enter 2018 with multiple returning players who recorded at least 100 tackles last season.
Harris was named to the preseason All-SEC third team last week, after an All-SEC season in 2017. The Harvey, Louisiana native led the Razorbacks in total tackles (115), tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (3.5). His 115 total tackles and 66 solo stops each ranked third in the Southeastern Conference.
Harris was also named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, given annually to the College Defensive Player of the year.
Greenlaw racked up 103 tackles in 2017 to finish second on the team for the second time in three season. He ranked fourth in the SEC in double-digit tackle games with six, four of which came in SEC action.
