W&M's John Pius Chosen To 2023 Butkus Award Watch List
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (August 10, 2023) – William & Mary junior linebacker
John Pius was one of 51 players chosen to the preseason Watch List for the 2023 Butkus Award, which is presented to the best linebacker in college football.
Pius was the only player from a FCS school named to the watch list. The 51 players on the list serves as a tribute to the storied “51” pro jersey worn by the award’s namesake, Dick Butkus.
Pius, the 2022 CAA Defensive Player of the Year and a consensus All-America honoree, was one of the top pass rushers in FCS, ranking fourth nationally with 11.5 sacks and sixth with 19.0 tackles for loss. He led William & Mary with 72 total tackles and contributed 12 quarterback hurries and three pass breakups. Pius recorded at least one TFL in 10 contests and registered a sack in seven games, including a career-high 3.5 sacks at Lafayette. He helped the Tribe equal a school record with 11 victories, earn a share of the CAA championship and advance to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.
Pius, who was the runner-up for the 2022 Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in FCS football, joins Luke Rhodes (1995) as the only William & Mary players to be named to the Butkus Award Watch List. Rhodes is currently in his eighth season as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
The award semifinalists are expected to be named Oct. 30 with finalists to follow Nov. 20. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 6. A 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts, and journalists guides the selection process. Past winners of the collegiate award include such greats as Patrick Willis, Von Miller, Luke Kuechly, Devin White, Roquan Smith and many more.
2023 Butkus Award Watch List
Jaishawn Barham, Maryland
Michael Barrett, Michigan
JD Bertrand, Notre Dame
Tatum Bethune, Florida State
Ben Bywater, BYU
Abdul Carter, Penn State
Barrett Carter, Clemson
Aaron Casey, Indiana
Steele Chambers, Ohio State
Mason Cobb, USC
Khari Coleman, Ole Miss
Junior Colson, Michigan
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M
Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
Jamon Dumas-Johnson (F), Georgia
Tommy Eichenberg (SF), Ohio State
JaQues Evans, WKU
Justin Flowe, Arizona
Jaylan Ford, Texas
Dallas Gant, Toledo
Easton Gibbs, Wyoming
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Cal Haladay, Michigan State
Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri
Nick Jackson, Iowa
Curtis Jacobs, Penn State
Jestin Jacobs, Oregon
Jason Johnson, UCF
Tyrice Knight, UTEP
Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
Jordan Magee, Temple
Jackson Mitchell (SF), UConn
Smael Mondon Jr., Georgia
Darius Muasau, UCLA
Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin
Chris Paul Jr., Arkansas
Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
John Pius, William & Mary
Tyreem Powell, Rutgers
Karene Reid, Utah
DJ Schramm, Boise State
Jackson Sirmon, Cal
Omar Speights, LSU
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Trevin Wallace, Kentucky
Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
Marlowe Wax, Syracuse
Payton Wilson, N.C. State