Oklahoma LB David Ugwoegbu Named to Butkus Award Watch List

Named after Dick Butkus, the award is presented annually to the nation’s best linebacker.

Last year, Ugwoegbu racked up 49 tackles for the Sooners, including 1.5 tackles for loss.

Throughout his Oklahoma career, the Katy, TX, product has appeared in 37 games, totaling a pair of quarterback sacks and a memorable interception against Oklahoma State during OU’s 2020 Bedlam victory.

Now under the tutelage of Brent Venables and defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof, Ugwoegbu is hoping to take his game to another level in 2022. 

Ugwoegbu is looking to become the fifth Butkus Award winner in OU’s history, following in the footsteps of two-time winner Brian Bosworth (1985, 1986), Rocky Calmus (2001) and Teddy Lehman (2003).

Fifty-one linebackers were named to the watch list on Monday, but its just the first step in the process.

On Oct. 31 the semifinalists will be named, and the finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 21.

The 2022 Butkus Award Winner will be announced on or before Dec. 7, though any linebacker in the country is eligible to win the award regardless of if they were named to the watch list or not. 

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