The Butkus Foundation named Illinois senior LB Jake Hansen to the Butkus Award watch list. It is the fourth career watch list for Hansen, who is on the Bednarik 2021 watch list and was a Butkus Award semifinalist in 2019.

THE DICK BUTKUS AWARD

The award is given annually to the nation's best linebacker by the Butkus Foundation. It is named in honor of Illinois Alum, College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus.

Last three winners: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Notre Dame) Isaiah Simmons (Clemson), Devin White (LSU)

JAKE HANSEN | BUTKUS AWARD WATCH LIST

• 10 career forced fumbles are tied for third-most in program history, behind only Illinois legends Simeon Rice (13) and Whitney Mercilus (11)
• 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-American fourth team
• 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team
• 2021 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten second team
• 2021 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten third team
• All-Big Ten second team (media) 
• All-Big Ten third team (coaches) 
• #3 tackling grade in the nation according to PFF (90.8)
• Hansen Big Ten rankings in 2020: #5 in TFLs, #8 in forced fumbles, #10 in fumble recoveries, #10 in tackles, #12 in interceptions
• 68 tackles, 10.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions on the season
• Matched career high and lead the team with 15 tackles at Rutgers 11/14/20, along with a sack,  one interception, and one pass breakup.
• Top-graded linebacker in Power-5 the week of Nov. 13/14 by PFF (81.3)
• 2019 Butkus Award Semifinalist
• Led the nation in forced fumbles (7) and ranked fifth in fumbles recovered (3) for the 2019 season
• Tied for the Illinois lead in tackles (95) and led Illinois in solo tackles (48) in 2018
• Won team's Bruce Capel Award for courage in 2018

ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF JULY 26)

» Jake Hansen - Bednarik Award (DPOY), Butkus Award (LB)
» Chase Brown – Doak Walker (RB)
» Doug Kramer – Rimington (C)