University of Connecticut Athletics
Butkus Award Watch List Includes UConn LB Mitchell
7/24/2022 4:08:00 PM | Football
UConn Athletic Communications / July 25, 2022
CHICAGO -- UConn junior Jackson Mitchell has been named to the watch list for The 2022 Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
Mitchell is one of only 51 players from 43 schools across the country named to the watch list for the award, now in its 38th year. Named in honor of the legendary Chicago Bears linebacker, the Butkus Award focuses on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional linebacker form.
Mitchell (Ridgefield, Conn.) started all 12 games for the Huskies last season, and led the team in tackles, totaling 120 tackles with 6.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and also recorded three forced fumbles, one interception and two pass breakups.
The UConn junior ranked among the top 15 players in the country in total tackles, he ranked fourth in assisted tackles (73), and his 10.0 tackles per game ranked 11th in the nation.
Mitchell's top games of the 2021 season including a career-high 16 tackles at Army and 15 tackles and a half-sack against Purdue. He also recorded 14 tackles and added a pass breakup against Holy Cross.
The Butkus Award watch list is guided by a 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts and journalists. The award semifinalists are expected to be named on Oct. 31, with finalists to follow on Nov. 21. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 7 and will be honored at a televised event on Jan. 21, 2023.
"I am always excited about seeing our great watch list players on the field," said Hall of Famer Dick Butkus. "When an outstanding player receives the Butkus Award, he will know two things: First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America; Second, and in the long run more important, he will understand this recognition brings a responsibility of giving back."
The 2022 Butkus Award watch list:
Darren Anders, Bowling Green (MAC)
Jeremy Banks, Tennessee (SEC)
Micah Baskerville, LSU (SEC)
Seth Benson, Iowa (Big Ten)
JD Bertrand, Notre Dame (Independent)
Tatum Bethune, Florida State (ACC)
Troy Brown, Ole Miss (SEC)
Ben Bywater, BYU (Independent)
Jack Campbell, Iowa (Big Ten)
Levani Damuni, Stanford (Pac-12)
KD Davis, North Texas (Conference USA)
Mohamoud Diabate, Utah (Pac-12)
Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia (SEC)
Justin Flowe, Oregon (Pac-12)
Sherrod Greene, South Carolina (SEC)
Kyle Harmon, San Jose State (Mountain West)
Calvin Hart Jr., Illinois (Big Ten)
Daiyan Henley, Washington State (Pac-12)
Nick Jackson, Virginia (ACC)
Jestin Jacobs, Iowa (Big Ten)
Carl Jones Jr., UCLA (Pac-12)
Mikel Jones, Syracuse (ACC)
Tyrice Knight, UTEP (Conference USA)
Carlton Martial, Troy (Sun Belt)
Ventrell Miller, Florida (SEC)
JACKSON MITCHELL, UConn (Independent)
Jaylen Moody, Alabama (SEC)
Isaiah Moore, N.C. State (ACC)
Darius Muasau, UCLA (Pac-12)
Donavan Mutin, Houston (American)
Anfernee Orji, Vanderbilt (SEC)
DeMarvion Overshown, Texas (Big 12)
Ivan Pace, Cincinnati (American)
Deshawn Pace, Cincinnati (American)
Owen Pappoe, Auburn (SEC)
James Patterson, Buffalo (MAC)
Bumper Pool, Arkansas (SEC)
Luke Reimer, Nebraska (Big Ten)
Merlin Robertson, Arizona State (Pac-12)
Noah Sewell, Oregon (Pac-12)
Trenton Simpson, Clemson (ACC)
Isaac Slade-Matautia, SMU (American)
Mariano Sori-Marin, Minnesota (Big Ten)
DeAndre Square, Kentucky (SEC)
Drake Thomas, N.C. State (ACC)
Henry To'o To'o, Alabama (SEC)
David Ugwoegbu, Oklahoma (Big 12)
Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington (Pac-12)
Payton Wilgar, BYU (Independent)
Dorian Williams, Tulane (American)
Dee Winters, TCU (Big 12)
