If and when the 2020 season begins, college football experts have high hopes for Illini linebacker Jake Hansen.
Earlier in the offseason Hansen was named to the Bednarik Watch List for best defensive player in he country. As of Monday he is on the watch list for the Butkus Award, the award given annually to the best linebacker in the nation — named after Illini legend Dick Butkus.
Hansen found his name on the same list late last season as well, but also found himself sidelined with an injury that prevented him from potentially winning.
The Florida native spent last season as an outside linebacker and watched middle linebacker Dele Harding lead the Big Ten in tackles and make the All-Big Ten First Team, but Hansen was no slouch either.