UCLA Football: Kenny Young named to Butkus Award watch list

Senior UCLA Football linebacker Kenny Young has been named to the Butkus Award watch list. It is his third preseason honor of 2017.

If you did not know already, middle linebacker Kenny Young is a big deal. The UCLA Football senior is preparing for his final season with the Bruins and is so far getting a lot of recognition for it.

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Earlier in the summer, Young was named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list which is given to “college football’s defensive best in character and performance”. Last week he was named to the Bednarik Award watch list which is given to the “college defensive player of the year”.

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Well now Young has a third award to try and live up to as he was named to the 2017 Butkus Award watch list.

According to the award’s site, “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.”

For Bruin fans that know all about Young, they know that he has slowly become a leader with a ton of talent to back it up. This season he will need to show that as he takes over as the commander of the linebacking corps.

Young is the top returning tackler from a. season ago. His 90 total tackles was second only to Jayon Brown (119). Young was also second on the team in sacks (5) as Takkarist McKinley led all Bruins with 10. Young also added 8.5 tackles for a loss, three fumble recoveries and one interception.

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With Young stepping up in 2017, the UCLA defense looks to be in good shape as they try to improve off of a 4-8 season. Congratulations on your third watch list, Kenny! Go Bruins!