CHICAGO — After being named the Pac-12 defensive freshman of the year in 2020, Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell has landed on the 2021 preseason watch list for the Butkus Award.
Sewell was announced on Monday as one of 51 collegiate players selected to the watch list for the award, which has honored the nation's best linebacker since 1985. It is named after Dick Butkus, arguably the greatest defensive player in football history.
Sewell was terrific for the Ducks as a true freshman, finishing as one of only two FBS true freshmen and the only in the Power 5 to lead his team in tackles (45).