AMES, Iowa –Iowa State senior linebacker Jeremiah George is one of 51 players from 37 schools to make the Collegiate Butkus Award Watch List, announced today by the Butkus Foundation.
The Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s best linebacker, is part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which includes the 21 most prestigious awards in college football. It is named in the honor of Dick Butkus, who is regarded by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history.
A native of Clearwater, Fla, George started nine games at linebacker last season, compiling 87 stops with four tackles for loss. He posted a career-high 17 tackles, including 13 solo stops, vs. Oklahoma. He averaged 9.8 tackles per game in the last five games of the season.
George, who is one of five returning starters on defense for the Cyclones, was a preseason All-Big 12 pick by both Athlon’s and Phil Steele.
