The watch list for the 2012 Butkus Award was announced on Monday and one Dallas-area player found his name on it. Ja'Gared Davis, a senior linebacker from Southern Methodist, is among those who will be considered for the award.
As a junior in 2011, Davis had 83 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He has played in every game during his college career but 2011 was the first time he started every game.
A second-team all-conference member, Davis is expected to be one of the leaders of the Mustangs defense this season.
In the team's first three weeks, Davis will have two shots to show what he can do against BCS conference schools. SMU opens the season at Baylor and plays Texas A&M at home for the third week.
He would be the first player in school history to win the Butkus Award.
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