Bowling Green State University Athletics
Anders Named to the Butkus Award Preseason Watch List
July 25, 2022 | Football
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – Bowling Green State University inside linebacker Darren Anders has been named to the Butkus Award Preseason Watch List, announced the Butkus Foundation on Monday (July 25). He is one of two players from the MAC on the list of 51 college football players. The Butkus Award annually to the nation's best linebacker.
Anders (North Olmsted, Ohio) was a 2021 first-team All-MAC linebacker, finishing last season No. 1 in the MAC and No. 8 in the nation with 10.3 tackles per game. Anders was one of three players in all of FBS over the last two seasons to rank in the top-15 nationally in tackles and is the only one who returns to CFB in 2022. He was also one of three FBS players in 2021 with 120+ tackles, 3.0+ sacks, 1+ fumbles recovered and 1+ interceptions (one of two through the regular season) and the only one returning to CFB in 2022. Anders has been named a preseason first-team All-MAC honoree by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Anders is the first Falcon since Austin Valdez in 2016 to be named to the Butkus Watch List. James Patterson (Buffalo) is the other MAC players that join Anders on the preseason watch list.
Mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey of the award's namesake, Dick Butkus, whom NFL Films considers the best defensive player in football history, each watch list features 51 players who will be reviewed by a 51-person selection panel of deeply experienced coaches, talent evaluators and journalists who vote by private ballot. Appearance on the watch list is not required to become a semifinalist.
Bowling Green, who returns 50 letterwinners and 18 starters, opens the 2022 season against UCLA on Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Rose Bowl. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. ET on the Pac-12 Network.
Fans can secure single-game or season tickets by visiting BGSUFalcons.com/tickets, or by calling the BGSU Athletic Ticket Office at 1-(877) 247-8842.
Anders (North Olmsted, Ohio) was a 2021 first-team All-MAC linebacker, finishing last season No. 1 in the MAC and No. 8 in the nation with 10.3 tackles per game. Anders was one of three players in all of FBS over the last two seasons to rank in the top-15 nationally in tackles and is the only one who returns to CFB in 2022. He was also one of three FBS players in 2021 with 120+ tackles, 3.0+ sacks, 1+ fumbles recovered and 1+ interceptions (one of two through the regular season) and the only one returning to CFB in 2022. Anders has been named a preseason first-team All-MAC honoree by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Anders is the first Falcon since Austin Valdez in 2016 to be named to the Butkus Watch List. James Patterson (Buffalo) is the other MAC players that join Anders on the preseason watch list.
Mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey of the award's namesake, Dick Butkus, whom NFL Films considers the best defensive player in football history, each watch list features 51 players who will be reviewed by a 51-person selection panel of deeply experienced coaches, talent evaluators and journalists who vote by private ballot. Appearance on the watch list is not required to become a semifinalist.
Bowling Green, who returns 50 letterwinners and 18 starters, opens the 2022 season against UCLA on Saturday, Sept. 3 at the Rose Bowl. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. ET on the Pac-12 Network.
Fans can secure single-game or season tickets by visiting BGSUFalcons.com/tickets, or by calling the BGSU Athletic Ticket Office at 1-(877) 247-8842.
Players Mentioned
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