July 15, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – University of Kentucky senior linebacker Danny Trevathan has been named to the 2011 Butkus Award watch list, which has identified the best linebacker in collegiate football for the past 27 years, the Butkus Foundation announced recently.

A total of 51 college players were named to the award’s preseason selection process, which is named after legendary defensive star Dick Butkus. The selection panel is comprised of 51 coaches, evaluators and journalists, coordinated by Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly.

Trevathan, who was named first-team All-Southeastern Conference on Thursday, is on a handful of watch lists this fall, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, the Rotary Lombardi Award watch list and the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list. The native of Leesburg, Fla., is one of nine players from the SEC to land on the Butkus preseason watch list.

Trevathan is coming off a stellar junior season where he was a first-team All-American and All-SEC selection. Trevathan, who is the first linebacker in UK history to earn first-team All-American honors, led UK in several defensive categories, including tackles (144), tackles for loss (16) and fumbles forced (four). Trevathan also led the SEC in tackles and finished third in tackles for loss and fumbles forced.

The award watch list includes candidates from 40 universities across 10 conferences. Luke Kuechly of Boston College is the only returning finalist, while returning semifinalists include Dont’a Hightower of Alabama, Sean Spence of Miami (Fla.), Travis Lewis of Oklahoma, Keenan Robinson of Texas and Manti Te’o of Notre Dame.

Semifinalists will be named Oct. 24, finalists Nov. 22, and winners will be notified on or before Dec. 7.   The award was expanded in 2008 to honor linebackers at three levels while helping spread the word about Butkus’ I Play Clean™ initiative, which encourages teens to eat well, train hard and play with attitude, instead of resorting to steroids and related drugs.