CHICAGO — BYU linebacker Jack Kelly was one of 51 candidates named Tuesday to the Butkus Award preseason watch list.
The prestigious award—presented annually since 1985 to the most impactful linebacker in college football—was named after Dick Butkus who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. The 2024 Butkus Award watch list contains 51 linebackers, mirroring the No. 51 jersey worn by the award’s namesake.
Kelly, a 6-2, 235-pound redshirt junior from Kearns, Utah, transferred to BYU from Weber State following the 2023 season. The four-star transfer was recently named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team, Athlon Sports All-Big 12 Fourth Team, and was also named Preseason All-Big 12 Honorable Mention by College Football Network.
In addition, Kelly was graded as the seventh highest linebacker in the Big 12 by Pro Football Focus and was named to the East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List.
In 28 games for Weber State from 2021-23, Kelly had 85 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, seven pass breakups and an interception. In 2023, he led the Big Sky Conference in sacks (10.5), forced fumbles (4) and fumble recoveries (2) on his way to being named first team All-Conference.
Semifinalists for the Butkus Award are expected to be named on Nov. 4, with the finalists announced on Nov. 25. The winner of the 2024 Butkus Award will be unveiled live on Dec. 8, during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award is presented by the Butkus Foundation and selected by a 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts and journalists. Now in its 40th season, the Butkus Award honors the nation’s best linebacker.