BYU’s Fred Warner named to Butkus Award watch list

PROVO, Utah – BYU senior linebacker Fred Warner has been named to the 2017 preseason watch list for the 33rd annual Butkus Award, which honors the nation’s best linebacker.

A 6-foot-4, 230-pound native of San Marcos, California, Warner has played in 36 career games with 25 starts at outside linebacker for the Cougars over his first three seasons. In 2016, he led BYU in total tackles with 86 and boasts six career interceptions, including a pair of pick-six touchdowns against Boise State. Warner also recovered four fumbles in 2015 and forced two fumbles in 2016.

Mirroring the legendary “51” pro jersey of the award’s namesake Dick Butkus whom NFL Films considers the best defensive player in football history, the 2017 Butkus Award Collegiate 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.

Formed in 1985, the Butkus Award was expanded in 2008 to honor linebackers at three levels while helping spread the word about Butkus’ I Play Clean™ initiative that encourages teens to eat well, train hard, and play with attitude instead of resorting to performance-enhancing drugs. More information is available at www.iplayclean.org.

The Butkus Award is presented by the Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization.