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SEC linebackers comprise nearly one-third of the Butkus Award watch list released Tuesday.
The honor is awarded annually to the best player at the position in high school, college and the NFL. The 51-member list is stacked with likely SEC standouts and likely 2016 NFL draft picks.
Three Auburn players made the watch list, tied with Michigan for the most in the country. Georgia, Missouri and Tennessee each placed two players on the list as well.
Here are the SEC’s preseason nominations for the award:
Kendall Beckwith, LSU
Kentrell Brothers, Missouri
Richie Brown, Ole Miss
Brooks Ellis, Arkansas
Leonard Floyd, Georgia
Josh Forrest, Kentucky
Kris Frost, Auburn
Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
C.J. Johnson, Ole Miss
Carl Lawson, Auburn
Curt Maggitt, Tennessee
Cassanova McKinzy, Auburn
Antonio Morrison, Florida
Reggie Ragland, Alabama
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tennessee
Michael Scherer, Missouri
An itinerant journalist, Christopher has moved between states 11 times in seven years. Formally an injury-prone Division I 800-meter specialist, he now wanders the Rockies in search of high peaks.
