Three Buckeye Linebackers Named to Butkus Award Watch List

Ohio State's linebacking corps is arguably the strength of the defense this year

Ohio State linebackers Tuf Borland, Pete Werner and Baron Browning were all named to the Butkus Award Watch List on Monday. The Butkus Award is given to the nation's best linebacker and is named in honor of the legendary Chicago Bears linebacker. In total, 51 linebackers were named to this year's watch list. Ohio State is the only program in the country with three representatives on the list.

Borland (Bollingbrook, Illinois) graduated from Ohio State in December 2019 with a degree in human development and family science. He is back this year for a final season of eligibility and is a leader on the defense. Borland is a 2-time captain who has played every game the past three seasons (42 games), which is an accomplishment on its own. But he did so in 2018 after injuring his Achilles tendon during spring practice. He's made 180 tackles over three seasons and is a 2-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention selection.

Werner (Indianapolis, Indiana) is coming off arguably his best season as a Buckeye, earning All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2019. He enters his senior season with 39 games played in his career and he finished second on the squad in tackles last season (64). He's had 10-tackle games against Penn State (2019) and Minnesota (2018). Pete's father, Greg, starred in football and baseball at DePauw University, is in its Athletics Hall of Fame and played two years in the NFL with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.

Browning (Fort Worth, Texas) enters his senior season ready to take on a critical role in the defense after splitting time with Werner last season. Baron enters his senior season in 2020 with 36 games of career experience, 80 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss for minus 42 yards and six quarterback sacks. He was one of the top linebackers in the nation as a senior in high school - a 5-star prospect (Rivals, 247 and Scout) who earned the No. 1 outside linebacker distinction from Rivals, 247Sports and Scout and a No. 2 ranking by ESPN.

Dick Butkus was perhaps the most feared linebacker in the nation during his playing days, both in college and as a professional. Butkus is in both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He made eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons as a Chicago Bear from 1965-1973 and was a First Team All-Pro selection on six occasions. He was a 2-time consensus All-American and the Big Ten MVP at the University of Illinois in 1963 and 1964.

The National College Football Awards Association will roll out watch lists over the next two weeks for all of the major national awards. They include:

July 13 - Bednarik Award (watch list includes Shaun Wade)

July 14 - Davey O'Brien Award (includes Justin Fields)

July 15 - Doak Walker Award

July 16 - Biletnikoff Award (includes Chris Olave)

July 17 - John Mackey Award (includes Luke Farrell)

July 20 - Butkus Award and Paycom Jim Thorpe Award

July 21 - Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy

July 22 - Lou Groza Award and Ray Guy Award

July 23 - Paul Hornung Award and Wuerffel Trophy

July 24 - Maxwell Award

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