Myles Jack, Eric Kendricks Named To Butkus Award Watch List

Nov 30, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans tailback Javorious Allen (37) fumbles the ball as UCLA Bruins linebacker Myles Jack (30) defends at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Myles Jack and Eric Kendricks were named to another pre-season award watch list, this time it is for the Butkus Award. This is the fourth award that both Bruins have been named to together as last week they were announced to the Nagurski, Lombardi and Bednarik watch lists. Although those are all-around defensive awards, the Butkus focuses on the best linebacker in the nation. As posted on their website, TheButkusAward.com…

"When a 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 that this recognition brings a responsibility to serve others by giving back.”"

To win the Butkus Award is an honor, but to be named for the award is something humbling for any linebacker. For these two players to be recognized for the things that they have done on the field, that play in the same position group, not only says a lot about them, but also the team as a whole. Now if that does not help UCLA’s cause of being named “Linebacker U”, nothing will.

As we have stated in previous articles, Jack was the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive AND Defensive Player of the Year last season. Not only was he a viable threat on defense early in the year, but in the second half of the season, when UCLA was down a few running backs to injury, Jack stepped in and made a huge impact carrying the ball for the Bruins. Just to put in perspective of how good he was, Jack scored 4 touchdowns in the game against Washington. The last Bruin to do that, Maurice Jones-Drew… against Washington.

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Kendricks is the leader of the D. The redshirt senior was a solid linebacker clogging up the middle of the field for UCLA last year. With Jack and former Bruin Anthony Barr causing havoc all-around the gridiron, Kendricks was a solid piece in the middle who collected the most tackles of any Bruin last season. UCLA will have a lot of help with some young talent, but right now, the Bruins will be looking to Kendricks for some fierce defensive leadership going into one of the most anticipated season in a while.