Gators David Reese selected as one of college football's 51 top linebackers to watch this season.
Reese Named to Butkus Award Watch List
Monday, July 23, 2018 | Football
2018 Butkus Award Watch List (PDF)
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior linebacker David Reese was honored as one of the nation's best linebackers with a selection to the 34th annual Butkus Award Watch List, as announced Monday.
Reese, a sports management major, did not miss a start last season after returning from surgery on both wrists. The Farmington, MI. native led the team in tackles (102) and finished second on the team in tackles-for-loss (10). He also tallied 1.5 sacks, one interception and one quarterback hurry in 2017. Reese became the third Gators linebacker to record 100-plus tackles in a season since 2007 and only the second since 2010. He surpassed the 100-tackle mark when he posted a career-best 14 tackles against Florida State. He led the team in tackling in 10 out of the 11 games and became the first Gator linebacker to intercept a pass since 2017. Reese enters his junior season with 23 games played, 151 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and one defensive PAT.
Mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey of the award's namesake Dick Butkus whom NFL Films considers the best defensive player in football history, this watch list features 51 players who will be reviewed by a 51-person selection panel of deeply experienced coaches, talent evaluators and journalists who vote by private ballot. Appearance on the watch list is not required to become a semi-finalist.
Semi-finalists will be named October 29, finalists November 19, and winners will be notified on or before December 4
NCFAA Preseason Watch Lists Unveiling Schedule
May 30
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior linebacker David Reese was honored as one of the nation's best linebackers with a selection to the 34th annual Butkus Award Watch List, as announced Monday.
Reese, a sports management major, did not miss a start last season after returning from surgery on both wrists. The Farmington, MI. native led the team in tackles (102) and finished second on the team in tackles-for-loss (10). He also tallied 1.5 sacks, one interception and one quarterback hurry in 2017. Reese became the third Gators linebacker to record 100-plus tackles in a season since 2007 and only the second since 2010. He surpassed the 100-tackle mark when he posted a career-best 14 tackles against Florida State. He led the team in tackling in 10 out of the 11 games and became the first Gator linebacker to intercept a pass since 2017. Reese enters his junior season with 23 games played, 151 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and one defensive PAT.
Mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey of the award's namesake Dick Butkus whom NFL Films considers the best defensive player in football history, this watch list features 51 players who will be reviewed by a 51-person selection panel of deeply experienced coaches, talent evaluators and journalists who vote by private ballot. Appearance on the watch list is not required to become a semi-finalist.
Semi-finalists will be named October 29, finalists November 19, and winners will be notified on or before December 4
NCFAA Preseason Watch Lists Unveiling Schedule
May 30
- Rimington Trophy (spring watch list)
- Bednarik Award
- Rimington Trophy
- Butkus Award
- Bronko Nagurski Award
- Outland Trophy
- Lou Groza Award
- Ray Guy Award
- Paul Hornung Award
- Wuerffel Trophy
- Walter Camp Award
Players Mentioned
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