Jackson listed on Dick Butkus Award Watch List for second year in a row

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

For the second-straight season, Virginia linebacker Nick Jackson is included on the Dick Butkus Award Watch List. A total of 51 student-athletes were included on the award annually presented to the nation’s top linebacker.

The 51 is a nod to the award’s namesake, Dick Butkus, who wore No. 51 during his professional career with the Chicago Bears and was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in NFL history.

Jackson was the ACC’s top tackler in 2021, totaling 117 stops and was credited with 2.5 sacks in 12 games. He recorded six tackles for loss, broke up two passes and had six quarterback hurries. Jackson’s 9.8 tackles per game also led the ACC and were the 14th most in the country. The Atlanta, Ga. native went on to earn Third Team All-ACC honors for the second year in-a-row. Jackson has started 23-straight games on the Cavalier defense, the most of any returning UVA player on offense or defense.

In three seasons, Jackson has appeared in 36 games for the Cavaliers and accumulated 250 tackles, 56 shy of cracking UVA’s all-time top-15. Jackson has the chance to join Charles McDaniel (1982-84), Jon Copper (2006-08) and Mich Kiser (2015-17) as the only Cavaliers to lead the team in tackles for three consecutive seasons.

The award semifinalists are expected to be named on Oct. 31 with finalists to follow Nov. 21. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 7. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award.

All 2022 Butkus Award winners will be honored at a televised event on Jan. 21, 2023, at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. CBS Sports Network aired the event last season, featuring Butkus and numerous noted NFL Alumni.