A Nebraska transfer earned a spot on the Butkus Award Watch List on Thursday. Linebacker Owen Chambliss was named to the list, which is presented to the nation’s top college linebacker.
The 51-player watch list honors Dick Butkus' No. 51 jersey and recognizes the toughness, instincts, leadership, competitiveness, and football character that defined one of the greatest defensive players in football history. The winner is selected based on performance throughout the season. In its 40-year history, only one Husker has won the award: Trev Alberts in 1993.
Chambliss is one of 12 Big Ten linebackers to be named to the list. The Corona, California, native transferred to Nebraska from San Diego State this past offseason, following defensive coordinator Rob Aurich.
The linebacker produced a major 2025 season for the Aztecs, helping the team finish 12th nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense. The first-team All-Mountain West honoree led San Diego State with 110 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
The semifinalists for the Butkus Award will be announced on Oct. 28, and finalists on Nov. 20. The winner will be named during the week of Dec. 7.
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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska linebacker named to the Butkus Award Watch List