The middle of summer means college football award watch lists are unveiled
The Butkus Award is given to the top interior linebacker (LB) in college football. Two Wisconsin Football players are on the 2017 watch list, Jack Cichy and T.J. Edwards.
With the LB group annually becoming a top position strength for Wisconsin Football it’s no surprise that two Badgers made the watch list. Both Cichy and Edwards should be in line for big seasons in Madison replacing the departed T.J. Watt and Vince Biegel.
A total of nine Big Ten LBs made the Butkus Award watch list for 2017.
More from Football
- Wisconsin Football flips 3-star defensive tackle from Northwestern
- Former Wisconsin Football stars to be featured on the next Wheaties box
- Believe it or not, Wisconsin Football has never played these FBS teams
- Four-star running back Darrion Dupree commits to Wisconsin Football
- Wisconsin Football wide receiver enters the transfer portal
Edwards is a 6’1″ 246 pound junior from Lake Villa, Illinois. In 2016, he was a consensus All-Big Ten honorable mention and was the Defensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl. Edwards led Wisconsin Football last season with 89 tackles, 15 more than runner-up Leo Musso. His 8.5 Tackles For Loss (TFL) was the 2nd on the Badgers behind Watt. Edwards also chipped in three sacks on precisely three QB hits for Wisconsin Football. Finally, he snagged three INTs, the most from a non-secondary player which is a good sign of his versatility as a LB being able to drop in coverage. It also explains his limited sack totals if he was asked to drop in coverage a lot.
Cichy had a breakout performance in the 2015 Holiday Bowl with a hat-trick of sacks in sequence against USC to kill one drive. Please note in the highlights how Wisconsin Football disguises Cichy and the DL shifts put the USC front in disarray.
Cichy had an injury-shortened 2016 season tearing a pectoral muscle (but finishing the game) against Iowa. Despite playing only seven games he still was tied for 5th on the Badgers with 60 total tackles. His 7.5 TFL was 3rd on Wisconsin Football behind Edwards. Cichy also forced two fumbles. A healthy Cichy along with a healthy Chris Orr should ensure the LB cupboard remains well-stocked for Wisconsin Football.
Next: Wisconsin Badgers: 2017 Schedule Ranked
The Butkus Award has been given annually since 1985. In that timespan, eight different Big Ten players have won the honor. EJ Henderson from Maryland (2002) and Trev Alberts from Nebraska (1993) did win the award but that was before the Terrapins and Huskers joined the Big Ten.
Cichy and Edwards may have steal votes from one another and have to share some statistics. It’s harder to stand out as the top LB in the country on a team loaded with great LB talent. Regardless of individual accolades, placing two on the watch list is a pretty strong signal Wisconsin Football will once again boast one of the top LB units in college football.