ORLANDO, Fla.-Monday, Utah State football junior linebacker David Woodward has been named to the Butkus Award watch list as confirmed by the Butkus Foundation.

This award annually honors Division I FBS’ best linebacker and consists of 51 candidates, honoring the number of the legendary Dick Butkus who starred both at the University of Illinois and later with the NFL’s Chicago Bears.

The 6-2 230-pound Woodward is a returning first-team All-American as confirmed by Pro Football Focus, while also earning third-team All-American honors from The Associated Press.

Semifinalists for the award will be named November 4 and finalists on November 25. Winners will be notified on or before December 10.