CHICAGO — Oregon senior Jeffrey Bassa has been named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s best linebacker.
In its 40th year, the Butkus Award includes 51 players on its preseason watch list to honor the storied No. 51 jersey won by the award’s namesake, the late Dick Butkus.
Bassa is one of 16 Big Ten linebackers included on the preseason watch list. This is the second preseason honor for Bassa, who was also included on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the top defensive player in the country.
Bassa was an all-conference second-team selection in 2023, starting all 14 games as the leader of an Oregon defense that was among the most improved units in the nation. He finished second on the team with a career-high 72 total tackles while adding 3.5 tackles for loss and an interception, a crucial pick-six that sealed Oregon’s road win at Texas Tech early in the season. With Bassa commanding the middle of the defense, the Ducks ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense (16.5 PPG), 11th in rushing defense (102.57 YPG) and 22nd in total defense (318.4 YPG). The Ducks – who came in at No. 3 in the preseason Associated Press and coaches polls – will kick off their inaugural season as members of the Big Ten Conference against Idaho on Aug. 31 in Autzen Stadium (4:30 p.m. PT, Big Ten Network).
