Courtesy UM
CHICAGO --University of Miami senior Raphael Kirby was among the 51 players named to the preseason watch list for the 2015 Butkus Award, honoring the nation’s top linebacker.
Kirby, who enters the fall as one of the team’s most experienced veterans, started all 13 games at linebacker for the Hurricanes in 2014. The Stone Mountain, Ga., native finished with 54 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Kirby, who added two interceptions in a breakout junior season, is looking to become the second Hurricane to ever win the Butkus Award, joining Dan Morgan (2000).