Butkus Award Watch List: Ranking the 10 Best Candidates

The linebacker position is also known as the quarterback of the defense. These players are usually some of the nastiest and have many important jobs on the football field. That is why the Butkus Award is an award dedicated just to the position.

The Butkus Award was introduced back in 1985 and, of course, is named after Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus. The watch list for this award was recently released and includes the linebackers that you should keep an eye on in 2012.

With many notable linebackers in the country, here are the top 10 candidates that will likely win the award this season.

10. Jonathan Bostic, Florida

Florida returns a total of 10 starters from a very solid defense. One of the top players from that unit is Jonathan Bostic, who led the team in tackles with 94.

He is now the most experienced player on the defensive side of the ball, having played in 38 games and making 19 starts.

With a complete season under his belt, Bostic should become a household name in 2012.

9. Chris Borland, Wisconsin

As you can see by the picture, Chris Borland is a hard hitter. He is also an effective tackler, finishing sixth in the country with 143 on the season last year.

He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and was named a third-team All-American by Yahoo! Sports.

Borland may not be the most skilled linebacker in the country, but he is versatile and an old-school player who gives you 100 percent on every play.

8. Sean Porter, Texas A&M

Sean Porter had another productive season for the Aggies, racking up 79 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks last season.

He is a player who does everything well and should make a bigger name for himself as the Aggies jump into the SEC in 2012.

Porter is a big-time player who will be a big part of this team's success.

7. Jonathan Brown, Illinois

Illinois was an extremely inconsistent team last season, but don't put any of the blame on linebacker Jonathan Brown.

He led the team in tackles (108), tackles for loss (19.5) and added six sacks and an interception for good measure.

He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors and is named a top-150 player in all of college football by Bleacher Report heading into the 2012 season.

6. Denicos Allen, Michigan State

Denicos Allen was a first-year starter last season and led the Spartans in sacks (11) and tackles for loss (18.5).

He was named second-team All-Big Ten by the media and should have another productive season, as Michigan State returns many key players from one of the top defenses in the country.

5. Arthur Brown, Kansas State

After sitting out a season in 2010, Arthur Brown made up for lost time, leading the Wildcats in tackles with 101 and adding 9.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Brown became the 10th Kansas State player to win Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, and it was his interception off Heisman winner Robert Griffin III that helped set up the game-winning field goal and eventual upset of the Baylor Bears. 

4. Gerald Hodges, Penn State

Gerald Hodges led the Nittany Lions in tackles with 106 and added 4.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss for good measure.

He also earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and looks to have an even bigger season in 2012, considering it was his first season at the position after transferring from safety.

3. Shayne Skov, Stanford

Shayne Skov did not play much last season due to a knee injury, but he did lead Stanford in tackles in 2010.

He is expected to be ready by the time the season begins, and when healthy, should be considered one of the best at his position.

It is players like Skov that will help keep the Cardinal competitive in 2012, despite losing Andrew Luck and company.

2. Manti Te’o, Notre Dame

You can't talk about top linebackers in the country without mentioning Notre Dame's Manti Te'o.

He has led the Irish in tackles the last two seasons and is a two-time second-team All-American. Te'o is a leader on and off the field and would have been a first-rounder in last year's NFL draft, had he decided to forgo his senior season.

Notre Dame is not complaining that he chose to come back, and the senior should have another productive season in South Bend.

1. Jarvis Jones, Georgia

Jarvis Jones had a monster season in his first year in the SEC. A transfer from USC, Jones finished the year with 70 tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and 26 quarterback hurries.

He was a first-team All-American, first-team All-SEC and a finalist for this award last season.

If he has another year like he did in 2011, there will be nobody that stops him from taking the Butkus Award in 2012.