CHICAGO - Miami linebacker Matt Salopek was named to the Butkus Award 40th Season Watch List, as announced today. The award is presented annually to nation's top collegiate linebacker. 

This marks Salopek's third preseason watch list nod after landing on the Bronko Nagurki Trophy (July 30) and Chuck Bednarik Award (Aug. 12) watch lists.   

Salopek has 392 tackles (11th in school history), 25.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and one interception in 45 career games. The sixth-year senior was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and has earned All-MAC honors in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He has 100-plus tackles in three straight seasons and could become the first RedHawk in program history with four-straight 100-tackle seasons.

MACtion on Preseason Watch Lists
Maxwell Award Watch List
Terion Stewart | RB| Bowling Green
Antario Brown | RB | Northern Illinois

Outland Trophy Award Watch List
Jacob Gideon | C | Western Michigan
Reid Holskey | OT | Miami
Alex Wollschlaeger | OT | Bowling Green

Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Maxen Hook | S | Toledo
CJ Nunnally IV | DE | Akron
Matt Salopek | LB | Miami

Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Maxen Hook | S | Toledo
Donte Kent | DB | Central Michigan
Jordan Oladokun | CB | Bowling Green

Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Jordan Oladokun | CB | Bowling Green
Taji Johnson | WR | Buffalo
Dominic Serapiglia | OL | Central Michigan
David Carter Jr. | DB | Eastern Michigan
Cameron Golden | OT | Kent State
Cade Haberman | DT | Northern Illinois
Michael Denning | PK | Toledo
Boone Bonnema | LB | Western Michigan

Hornung Award Watch List
Marion Lukes | RB | Central Michigan
Trayvon Rudolph | WR | Northern Illinois
Jacquez Stuart | WR | Toledo

Ray Guy Award Watch List 
Alec Bevelhimer | P | Miami
Mitchell Tomasek | P | Eastern Michigan

Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List
Terion Stewart | RB| Bowling Green
Antario Brown | RB | Northern Illinois

Doak Walker Award Watch List
Terion Stewart | RB| Bowling Green
Antario Brown | RB | Northern Illinois
Marion Lukes | RB | Central Michigan
Jalen Buckley | RB | Western Michigan

Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List
Demetrius Hardamon | LB | Bowling Green
Jake Orlando | TE | Buffalo
Brett Gabbert | QB | Miami
Jack Coldiron | TE | Miami

Davey O’Brien Award Watch List
Brett Gabbert | QB | Miami

Rimington Trophy Award Watch List
Jacob Gideon | C | Western Michigan

John Mackey Award Watch List
Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | Bowling Green
Anthony Torres | TE | Toledo

Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
CJ Nunnally IV | DE | Akron
Jordan Oladokun | CB | Bowling Green
Matt Salopek | LB | MIami
Maxen Hook | S | Toledo

Butkus Award Watch List
Matt Salopek | LB | Miami