CHICAGO – The Mid-American Conference was represented by Buffalo’s Shaun Dolac and Toledo’s Dallas Gant on the 2023 Butkus Award Watch List, as announced by the Butkus Foundation on Thursday afternoon.
The number of linebackers on the watch list, 51, is a nod to the storied “51” pro jersey worn by the award’s namesake, Dick Butkus, who was named by NFL Films as the greatest defensive player in football history. The Butkus Award recognizes the best linebackers in football.
Last season, Dolac led the MAC and ranked second in the nation in tackles with 147. He had a school-record 97 solo tackles which was the most in the nation. He also led the Bulls in tackles-for-loss (13.5) and sacks (4.5).
The linebacker was also one of six MAC student-athletes named to the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List on Aug. 1.
Gant, who was named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List earlier this month, was a First-Team All-MAC selection in 2022. He led the team with 116 tackles and ranked 10th in the MAC and 57th in the nation with 8.3 tackles per game.
The award semifinalists are expected to be named Oct. 30 with finalists to follow Nov. 20. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 6. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award.
Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. Causes include the Butkus Takes HeartTM initiative encouraging early cardiovascular screening among adults, and the I Play Clean® initiative encouraging athletes to train naturally without performance-enhancing drugs.
A 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts, and journalists guides the selection process. Past winners of the collegiate award include such greats as Patrick Willis, Von Miller, Luke Kuechly, Devin White, Roquan Smith and many more. The Butkus Award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form.
#MACtion on the 2023 Watch Lists
Maxwell Award Watch List
Alex Adams | WR | Akron
Marquez Cooper | RB | Ball State
Samson Evans | RB | Eastern Michigan
Kurtis Rourke | QB | Ohio
Dequan Finn | QB | Toledo
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Shaun Dolac | LB | Buffalo
Marcus Fuqua | S | Buffalo
Maxen Hook | S | Toledo
Donte Kent | CB | Central Michigan
Quinyon Mitchell | CB | Toledo
Devonte O'Malley | DT | NIU
Outland Trophy Watch List
Ethan Crowe | C | Ball State
Nolan Potter | OT | NIU
Nick Rosi | OT | Toledo
Deiyantei Powell-Woods | G | Central Michigan
Daymond Williams | DT | Buffalo
Lou Groza Watch List
Alex McNulty | K | Buffalo
Jesús Gómez | K | Eastern Michigan
Ray Guy Watch List
Dom Dzioban | P | Miami
Lucas Borrow | P | Ball State
Mitchell Tomasek | P | Eastern Michigan
Wuerffel Award Watch List
Clayton Coll | LB | Ball State
Abdul-Fatai Ibrahim | WR | BGSU
Austin Osborne | WR | BGSU
Brock Horne | LB | BGSU
Darren Anders | LB | BGSU
Demetrius Hardamon | LB | BGSU
Max Michel | DE | Buffalo
Robi Stuart | DL | Central Michigan
Brian Dooley | OL | Eastern Michigan
Dallas Gant | LB | Toledo
Boone Bonnema | LB | Western Michigan
Paul Hornung Award Watch List
Ron Cook Jr. | RB | Buffalo
Trayvon Rudolph | WR | Northern Illinois
Jacquez Stuart | RB | Toledo
The Rimington Trophy Watch List
Jacob Gideon | C | Western Michigan
Mackey Award Watch List
Brady Hunt | TE | Ball State
Biletnikoff Award Watch List
Alex Adams | WR | Akron
Jerjuan Newton | WR | Toledo
Sam Wiglusz | WR | Ohio
Davey O’Brien Watch List
Dequan Finn | QB | Toledo
Kurtis Rourke | QB | Ohio
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Sieh Bangura | RB | Ohio
Samson Evans | RB | Eastern Michigan
Antario Brown | RB | Northern Illinois
Butkus Award Watch List
Shaun Dolac | LB | Buffalo
Dallas Gant | LB | Toledo
