Since becoming an award for college linebackers the Butkus Award has been won by four Alabama linebackers three of which came during the Saban era. When the watch list was announced three Alabama players were listed out of the 51 players on the list. Alabama was the only school that had three linebackers on the watch list.
Anfernee Jennings, Dylan Moses, and Mack Wilson were listed on the preseason award list and the three linebackers are ready to return to the football field with an expanded role. Moses and Wilson both started games last year while Jennings was a big part of limiting the rushing attack on Clemson’s offense in the Sugar Bowl. Injuries limited Jennings but he finished his year with 41 tackles, 6 tackles for loss and a sack before injuring his leg in the Clemson game. When the injuries were piling up at middle linebacker last season Moses and Wilson were called upon to have bigger roles. Moses ended up finishing his freshman year with 30 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks and Wilson finished his year with 40 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions which led the team.
While the loss of the leadership can sting and the injury of Terrell Lewis affects the depth of the linebacker corp this is an honor for the Crimson Tide. Alabama is the only school to have three linebackers on the watch list with USC behind them with two. Alabama has been deemed “Linebacker U” with the production of linebackers in the NFL and these are three linebackers ready to compete.
All three linebackers will be looked upon as leaders of the defense with the graduation of Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans. With Moses and Wilson set to man the middle of the defense and Jennings off the edge this could be looked at as three of Alabama’s top linebackers on the team. Reuben Foster was the last linebacker to win the award and one of these three linebackers is hoping to be the next one to win it.
