Jason Cabinda and Nyeem Wartman-White have both been named to the Butkus Award watch list, along with 49 other players. Named for legendary linebacker Dick Butkus, the award recognizes the nation's top collegiate linebacker. Cabinda and Wartman-White hope to join Paul Posluszny (2005) and LaVar Arrington (1999) as award winners for Dear Old State.
For Cabinda, this marks his third preseason award watch list, as he was previously named to the Bednarik Award watch list, given out to the nation's top defensive player, as well as the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Jason led the defense in 2015, sliding inside to middle linebacker after Nyeem went down in the season opener with a knee injury.