Nebraska’s Owen Chambliss was recognized Thursday as the junior linebacker was named to the Butkus Award Watch List, which is presented to the nation’s top college linebacker.
Chambliss earned a spot on the preseason list after a strong 2025 season at San Diego State. The 6-foot-3, 204-pound linebacker anchored an Aztec defense that ranked 12th nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense in 2005. A first-team All-Mountain West selection, the Corona, Calif., native led SDSU with 110 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.0 sacks last season.
The 51-player watch list honors Dick Butkus’ iconic No. 51 jersey and recognizes the toughness, instincts, leadership, competitiveness, and football character that defined one of the greatest defensive players in football history. Chambliss is one of 12 Big Ten linebackers on the season list.
Semifinalists for the 2026 Butkus Award will be announced on October 28th, finalists on November 20th, and the winner will be revealed during the week of December 7th. Selection is based on performance throughout the season, and appearance on the preseason watch list is not required for a player to win the Award.
