The watch list for the 2012 Butkus Award, the award for the best linebacker in college football, has been announced. Along with the various finalists from the big schools, there is one name that DC college football fans should keep an eye on. Howard Bison linebacker Keith Pough is one of the many players on this watch list.
Pough, a 6'3", 235 pound linebacker recorded 71 solo tackles last season, along with 120 total. He also recorded 3.5 sacks, although that was down from 10 sacks the year before.
Other local players on the watch list include Maryland Terrapins linebacker Kenny Tate, the 6'4", 220 pound backer who played only four games last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He recorded 35 total tackles and intercepted two passes.
Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Bruce Taylor was also named to the watch list. The 6'2", 243 pound defender missed the last four games, including the 2012 Sugar Bowl, due to injury, but recorded 53 total tackles and five sacks and also hurried the quarterback 16 times.
For more on Maryland, check out Testudo Times. For more Virginia Tech, visit Gobbler Country. Be sure to check outSB Nation's college football hub for more coverage and commentary from around the country.