CHICAGO — BYU linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Jack Kelly were today named to the preseason watch list for the 41st annual Butkus Award, honoring the nation's top linebacker.
The prestigious award — presented annually since 1985 to the most impactful linebacker in college football — was named after Dick Butkus who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. The 51-player watch list pays tribute to the iconic No. 51 jersey worn by Butkus during his hall of fame career.
In June, Kelly, a 6-2, 240-pound senior from Kearns, Utah, was named preseason All-Big 12 Second Team by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. He was also recently named to the preseason watchlist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America.
As a junior in 2024 he was named College Football Network All-Big 12 First Team as well as the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and the Defensive Transfer of the Year. In addition, Kelly was also named Phil Steele Big 12 All-Conference Third Team and received honorable mention by the conference head coaches as the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year. He was also named to the Butkus Award Watch List prior to the 2024 season.
Glasker, a 6-5, 235-pound junior from South Jordan, was named honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated and was the defensive MVP of the Valero Alamo Bowl, leading BYU to a 36-14 win over Colorado. He also led the Big 12 in tackles for loss with 13.5. For BYU, Glasker was second on the team with 62 tackles, 3.5 sacks, eight quarterback hurries and two interceptions. Glasker was named Midseason All-America by The Athletic and Midseason All-Big 12 by College Football Network.
Candidates for the 2025 Butkus Award represent 39 universities nationwide. Selections by conference include the SEC (18), Big Ten (12), Big 12 (9) and ACC (8), with additional nominees from four other conferences. BYU joins Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Mississippi, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pittsburgh and Texas with multiple candidates on the Butkus watch list.
Semifinalists for the Butkus Award are expected to be named on Nov. 4, with the finalists announced on Nov. 25. The winner of the 2024 Butkus Award will be revealed on Dec. 10, during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. The 2025 winner will be honored at a ceremony at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in early 2026.
Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award is presented by the Butkus Foundation and selected by a 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts and journalists. Now in its 40th season, the Butkus Award honors the nation’s best linebacker.