Gophers linebacker named to Butkus Award Watch List

A University of Minnesota linebacker has been named to a watch list for a major award.

Mariano Sori-Marin was named to the Butkus Award Watch List on Monday. The award is given each year to the best linebacker in the country.

Sori-Marin is one of 51 linebackers across the country on the list, and one of six from the Big Ten.

He led the Gophers last season with 85 tackles and added 4.5 tackles for loss, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and an interception, earning him All-Big Ten Honorable Mention recognition.

In his collegiate career, Sori-Marin has recorded 186 tackles across 44 games.

Semifinalists for the Butkus Award will be named on Oct. 31, finalists on Nov. 21 and the winner around Dec. 7.

Sori-Marin joins fellow Gophers John Michael Schmitz and Mohamed Ibrahim as Minnesota players named to award watch lists.