EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State fifth-year senior Darien Harris, who set career highs for tackles (48) and tackles for loss (3.5 for 9 yards) last season, has been named to the 2015 preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, presented to college football’s best linebacker since 1985. The 51-player Butkus Award Watch List features eight players from the Big Ten.
The 6-foot, 220-pound Harris started 11 of 13 games at Star linebacker in 2014 and finished fifth on the team with a career-high 48 tackles (26 solos, 22 assists). He ranked eighth on the team during the regular season with 107 production points and tied for team lead with two forced fumbles.