TicketsCINCINNATI — Cincinnati fifth year inside linebacker Jonathan Thompson has been named to the 2026 Butkus Award watch list, the committee announced on Thursday.
Thompson has been a part of the Bearcats football program since 2022, playing in 36 career games while logging 154 total tackles and 17.5 tackles for loss during his tenure in Clifton.
His most productive season came in 2025. The Columbus, Ohio native played in all 13 games, earning nine starts. He finished second on the team with 74 tackles while leading the squad with 8.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded two fumble recoveries and forced one. Thompson came out of the gate firing with a career-high nine tackles, 1.5 TFLs, a sack, and a forced fumble against Nebraska. Additionally, he recorded eight stops against both UCF and Navy, recovering a fumble against the Midshipmen.
The Butkus Award remains one of college football's most respected individual honors, recognizing linebackers whose performance reflects the standard established by Dick Butkus more than six decades ago at the University of Illinois and throughout his Hall of Fame NFL career.
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.
Semifinalists for the 2026 Butkus Award will be announced on Oct. 28, finalists on Nov. 20, and the winner will be revealed during the week of Dec. 7. 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.
The recipient will be recognized during the Butkus Award celebration in early 2027 and featured in the annual Big Ten Network Butkus Award special.
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