CHICAGO – Texas senior linebacker Jaylan Ford has been named to the Butkus Award watch list, the organization announced on Thursday. The Butkus Award is presented annually to the top linebacker in college football.
Longhorn Legend Derrick Johnson previously won the award in 2004 and was also a finalist in 2003, as was Sergio Kindle in 2009.
Ford is a fourth-year linebacker who has played in 35 games with 15 starts. The Frisco, Texas native had a breakout season in 2022, earning AP All-American accolades after leading the Longhorns with a career-high 119 tackles (61 solo), three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions.