7/12/2016 football Edit

Morgan Makes Butkus Award Watch List

Nyles Morgan had 17 tackles as a backup last season. ()

Matt Jones • InsideNDSports

Staff

For the second straight season, Notre Dame linebacker Nyles Morgan has been named to the Butkus Award preseason watch list.

This year, Morgan figures to have a better shot at actually winning the honor, which went to his teammate last year, star Jaylon Smith.

Given to the nation’s best linebacker, the Butkus Award was instituted in 1985. The 2016 watch list includes 51 linebackers from across the country.

The 6-foot-1, 245-pound Morgan had just 17 tackles while serving as Joe Schmidt’s backup at middle linebacker this past season.

Morgan made several freshmen All-American teams in 2014 in place of an injured Schmidt, making 47 tackles in four starts and 12 appearances. But last season as a sophomore he took a reduced role as the Irish struggled at times on defense. A native of Crete, Illinois, seven of Morgan’s tackles last season came during a blowout win over UMass.

Smith anchored the Notre Dame defense in 2015 with a team-high 113 tackles (tied for 22nd in the FBS), including nine tackles for loss. He was the second Irish player to win the award, joining Manti Te'o from 2012.