Michigan fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray was one of 51 FBS players named to the Dick Butkus Award watch list on Monday, given annually to the nation’s best linebacker.
McCray had an outstanding season for the Wolverines last year, starting all 13 games, while racking up a career-high 76 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions, en route to earning All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Perhaps the most memorable play of his career came in last year’s Orange Bowl game against Florida State, when he returned an interception 14 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter to cut what had been an 11-point Seminole lead to just five.
The veteran linebacker is expected to be the anchor of what will be a young and mostly inexperienced starting linebacking corps. He will be counted on to provide leadership for expected sophomore starters Devin Bush and Khaleke Hudson at the VIPER spot.
Eight other Big Ten linebackers also made the watch list, including Ohio State fifth-year senior Chris Worley and junior Jerome Baker, Wisconsin fifth-year senior Jack Cichy and redshirt junior T.J. Edwards, Penn State senior Jason Cabinda, Maryland fifth-year senior Jermaine Carter, Iowa fifth-year senior Josey Jewell and Indiana senior Tegray Scales.
No Big Ten player has won the award since Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis in 2006.
Alabama’s Reuben Foster was the recipient of last year’s Butkus Award.
The full list can be seen here.
Here’s a look at the other Wolverines who have been named to 2017 watch lists:
Michigan Football: Mo Hurst, Rashan Gary Make Bednarik Watch List
Michigan Football: Wilton Speight Makes Maxwell Watch List
Tyrone Wheatley Named To John Mackey Award Watch List
Michigan Football: Rashan Gary, Mo Hurst Make Nagurski Watch
Michigan Football: Mason Cole, Mo Hurst Are Outland Candidates
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