CHICAGO – A pair of Conference USA standouts were included on the 2023 Butkus Award Watch List, the Butkus Foundation announced Thursday. UTEP senior LB Tyrice Knight and WKU junior LB JaQues Evans represent CUSA on the Butkus Award Preseason Watch List, an award presented to the nation’s best linebacker.
Knight, also a member of the Bronko Nagurski Preseason Watch List, earned a spot on the All-Conference USA Second Team last season after he tied for the team lead with 95 total tackles in 12 starts at linebacker. He ranked 10th in CUSA in total tackles and tied for seventh in tackles per game (7.92). Knight added 6.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, five pass break-ups, four quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. The Lakeland, Fla., native recorded four double-digit tackle contests, including a season-best 14 stops at New Mexico.
Evans, also a member of the Bronko Nagurski and Wuerffel Trophy preseason watch lists, was WKU's leading tackler in 2022 with 106 total stops, including 14.0 tackles for loss and nine sacks. The Dublin, Georgia, native also broke up four passes, hurried the quarterback eight times and recovered two fumbles. In WKU's bowl-clinching victory against Rice, Evans returned a fumble for a touchdown, one of the WKU defense's six touchdowns on the season, which led all of college football. Evans and the Hilltopper defense also forced 32 turnovers on the season, which was the best mark in the country. He hit double-digit tackles on three occasions throughout the year, his season-high being 15 against North Texas. Evans was named to CUSA's First Team at season's end for his big year.
The number of linebackers on the watch list, 51, is a nod to the storied “51” pro jersey worn by the award’s namesake, Dick Butkus, who was named by NFL Films as the greatest defensive player in football history. The Butkus Award recognizes the best linebackers in football.
The award semifinalists are expected to be named Oct. 30 with finalists to follow Nov. 20. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 6. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award.
“I am always excited about seeing our great watch list players on the field,” said Butkus, the College and Pro Football Hall of Famer. “When an outstanding player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things: First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America; Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand this recognition brings a responsibility of giving back.”
All 2023 Butkus Award winners will be honored at a televised event in Jan. 2024. BTN (the Big Ten Network) aired the event last season, featuring Butkus and numerous noted NFL Alumni. To watch the show online via YouTube, click here.
Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. Causes include the Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative encouraging early cardiovascular screening among adults, and the I Play Clean® initiative encouraging athletes to train naturally without performance-enhancing drugs.
A 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts, and journalists guides the selection process. Past winners of the collegiate award include such greats as Patrick Willis, Von Miller, Luke Kuechly, Devin White, Roquan Smith and many more. The Butkus Award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form.
The Butkus Awards will be unveiling a new trophy design for this year’s recipients. Designed by renowned sculptor George Lundeen, whose works include the Red Grange and Dick Butkus statues outside Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois.
The Butkus Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935.