IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior linebacker Josey Jewell has been named to the 2016 Butkus Award Watch List, the Butkus Foundation announced Tuesday. The Butkus Award is presented annually to the nation’s best linebacker.

Jewell (6-foot-2, 230-pounds) started all 14 games at middle linebacker last season, anchoring a Hawkeye defense that allowed 11 rushing touchdowns, the seventh lowest total in the country, and yielded an average of 121.4 rushing yards per game, ranking 15th nationally.  Jewell led Iowa with 126 total tackles, including 62 solo stops and three sacks.  His four interceptions ranked second on the team, while his 7.5 tackles for loss tied for second best.

Following last year’s breakout season, Jewell garnered second team All-Big Ten honors by league coaches and media, the Associated Press, and Phil Steele.  The Decorah, Iowa, native has garnered preseason third team All-America and second team All-Big Ten recognition by Athlon Sports. Jewell was named to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List — presented to the best defensive player in college football — earlier this month.

The collegiate Butkus Award Watch List includes candidates from 44 universities, including 10 student-athletes from Big Ten institutions. Semifinalists will be named Oct. 31, finalists Nov. 21, and winners will be notified on or before Dec. 6.

Former Hawkeye Larry Station was a finalist for the Butkus Award in 1985, while Chad Greenway was a semifinalist in 2005.

Jewell joins teammates Desmond King (Jim Thorpe Award) and Jaleel Johnson (Outland Trophy) as Hawkeyes recently named to award watch lists.

Iowa opens the 2016 season at home on Sept. 3, hosting Miami, Ohio inside Kinnick Stadium.

From hawkeyesports.com