Nebraska linebacker Owen Chambliss has been selected to the preseason watch list for the 2026 Butkus Award, the honor given annually to the nation’s top college linebacker.
At 6’3” and 230lbs, Chambliss led San Diego State with 110 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. He earned first-team All-Mountain West honors as the only underclassman selected to the conference’s first-team defense. That unit ranked 12th nationally in total defense and seventh in scoring defense.
Chambliss is one of 51 players on the preseason list and one of 12 Big Ten linebackers recognized. The award, which honors the toughness, instincts, leadership, competitiveness, and football character of legendary linebacker Dick Butkus and his iconic No. 51 jersey, is based on performance throughout the season. Semifinalists will be announced on October 28, finalists on November 20, and the winner in December.
Chambliss began his college career at Utah in 2023 before transferring to San Diego State for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He followed defensive coordinator Rob Aurich to Nebraska in the offseason. In his first year with the Huskers, he is expected to play a key role in the linebacker corps. Only one Nebraska player has won the Butkus Award: Trev Alberts in 1993. Chambliss has said he’s focused beyond preseason recognition, noting his priority is team success and competing for the award based on in-season play.
