Transfer from Cal in the running for nation's best linebacker
Illinois linebacker Hardy Nickerson was named to the Butkus Award watch list, it was announced Tuesday. The watch list is the second of the season for the transfer from California.
The Butkus Award
Since 1985, the Butkus Award has been given to the best linebacker in high school, college and professional football. An independent Butkus Award Selection Committee comprised of 51 experts, including professional, college and high school scouts, and prominent sports journalists, conduct the selection process. The award is named for former Fighting Illini and Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus.
» Full Watch List
» Last three winners: Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame), Eric Kendricks (UCLA), C.J. Mosely (Alabama)
» Illinois' Dana Howard and Kevin Hardy won back-to-back Butkus Awards in 1994 and 1995
Hardy Nickerson
• Senior linebacker from Oakland, Calif. (Bishop O'Dowd HS)
• Transferred to Illinois with one year of eligibility left
• Immediately eligible after graduating from California with a degree in legal studies
• Nagurski Trophy watch list (defensive player of the year)
• Father, Hardy Nickerson, is Illinois' defensive coordinator
• Three-year starter at California (2013-15)
• Cal team captain in 2015
• Played in 35 games during his career with the Golden Bears
• 246 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, one interception, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during three seasons
• Led Cal in tackles with 112, including 54 solo, in 2015
• Third in the Pac-12 with 112 tackles in 2015
• 10+ tackles in six of the last eight games of 2015
• 16-tackle effort during a 48-46 win against Arizona State in his final game for Cal
• Two-time Pac-12 All-Academic
• Redshirted as a freshman in 2012
Illini on 2016 Preseason Watch Lists (as of 7/12)
Wes Lunt – Maxwell Award (Off. POY)
Hardy Nickerson – Nagurski Trophy (Def. POY), Butkus Award (LB)
Dawuane Smoot – Bednarik Award (Def. POY)
Joe Spencer – Rimington Trophy (C)
Illinois linebacker Hardy Nickerson was named to the Butkus Award watch list, it was announced Tuesday. The watch list is the second of the season for the transfer from California.
The Butkus Award
Since 1985, the Butkus Award has been given to the best linebacker in high school, college and professional football. An independent Butkus Award Selection Committee comprised of 51 experts, including professional, college and high school scouts, and prominent sports journalists, conduct the selection process. The award is named for former Fighting Illini and Chicago Bears linebacker Dick Butkus.
» Full Watch List
» Last three winners: Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame), Eric Kendricks (UCLA), C.J. Mosely (Alabama)
» Illinois' Dana Howard and Kevin Hardy won back-to-back Butkus Awards in 1994 and 1995
Hardy Nickerson
• Senior linebacker from Oakland, Calif. (Bishop O'Dowd HS)
• Transferred to Illinois with one year of eligibility left
• Immediately eligible after graduating from California with a degree in legal studies
• Nagurski Trophy watch list (defensive player of the year)
• Father, Hardy Nickerson, is Illinois' defensive coordinator
• Three-year starter at California (2013-15)
• Cal team captain in 2015
• Played in 35 games during his career with the Golden Bears
• 246 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, one interception, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries during three seasons
• Led Cal in tackles with 112, including 54 solo, in 2015
• Third in the Pac-12 with 112 tackles in 2015
• 10+ tackles in six of the last eight games of 2015
• 16-tackle effort during a 48-46 win against Arizona State in his final game for Cal
• Two-time Pac-12 All-Academic
• Redshirted as a freshman in 2012
Illini on 2016 Preseason Watch Lists (as of 7/12)
Wes Lunt – Maxwell Award (Off. POY)
Hardy Nickerson – Nagurski Trophy (Def. POY), Butkus Award (LB)
Dawuane Smoot – Bednarik Award (Def. POY)
Joe Spencer – Rimington Trophy (C)
