PROVO, Utah—Three Cougar defensive players were named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List, and Alani Fua was named to the Butkus Award Watch List Monday.
Senior linebacker Fua, junior linebacker Bronson Kaufusi and junior defensive lineman Remington Peck received the preseason Lombardi Award honors. The award, which will be presented Dec. 10, is given to a lineman or linebacker who shows leadership, courage, desire, respect for authority and discipline. The recipient of the award is selected by votes from Division I coaches, sports media and former award winners from around the country.
The Butkus Trophy is given to the nation's best linebacker based on performance on the field and overall character.
Fua has already received three preseason honors—2014 Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent First Team, College Football Performance Awards Linebacker Watch List and Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The 6-foot-5 linebacker from San Fernando Valley, California, recorded 63 tackles, including five tackles for loss and three sacks in 2013, playing in all 13 games while starting nine.
Kaufusi recorded 37 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks and six pass breakups last season while playing defensive end for BYU. He started all 13 games last season. A Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent First Team honoree, the 6-foot-7 product of Provo, Utah, switched positions to linebacker for 2014.
Peck started 12 games in 2013, receiving College Sports Madness All-Independent Second Team accolades for his 38 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. Peck was also named to the 2014 Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent First Team. The 6-foot-4 defensive lineman hails from South Jordan, Utah.
For a complete list of Lombardi Award nominees, visit www.rotarylombardiaward.org.
For a complete list of Butkus Award nominees, visit www.thebutkusaward.com.