Indiana linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones were both named to the Butkus Award Watch List, which is presented to the nation’s top college linebacker.
The Hoosiers have one of the best linebacker duos in the nation this year.
Hardy had 102 tackles in 2025 including 15 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He earned second-team All-Big Ten.
Meanwhile, Jones had 78 tackles including 15.5 for a loss and seven sacks in 2025 on his way to third-team All-Big Ten honors.
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.
Hardy and Jones are two of 12 Big Ten linebackers on the watch 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.
FIVE ON ESPN’s TWO PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN TEAMS
IU offensive tackle Carter Smith finished the 2025 season as a first team All-American, and that’s where he remains on ESPN’s preseason All-American teams named on Thursday. Per ESPN Research, Smith allowed just nine pressures in 2025, the fewest among full-time left tackles nationally.
Smith is one of five Hoosiers named to ESPN’s two teams. He’s joined by wide receivers Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh, Hardy, and safety Amare Ferrell, who were all named to the second team.
MORE IU PLAYERS ON 2026 PRESEASON WATCH LISTS
- Lombardi Award – Isaiah Jones, Tyrique Tucker, Rolijah Hardy and Carter Smith
- Wuerffel Trophy – Charlie Becker
- Jim Thorpe Award – Amare Ferrell
- Lou Groza Award – Nico Radicic
- Rimington Trophy – Bray Lynch
- Nagurki Trophy – Rolijah Hardy, Isaiah Jones, Tyrique Tucker, Amare Ferrell
- Outland Trophy – Carter Smith and Tyrique Tucker
- Maxwell Award – Josh Hoover
- Mannelly Award – Drew Clausen
- Good Works Team – Charlie Becker
- Dodd Trophy — Curt Cignetti
- Lott Trophy — Tyrique Tucker and Jamari Sharpe
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