WOAY – Monday marked the start of a second week of watch lists for various individual college football awards, with three Virginia Tech Hokies among the players mentioned.
Linebacker Rayshard Ashby is on the watch list for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation’s top linebacker. Ashby led the ACC with 120 total tackles last year, and was a five-time conference Linebacker of the Week. He was named to the Bednarik Award watch list last week.
Two players, Caleb Farley and Jermaine Waller, are on the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the top defensive back. Farley, who was also on the Bednarik list last week, recorded four interceptions in 2019, one of which was returned for a touchdown; he was a First Team All-ACC selection. Waller recorded three interceptions and 46 total tackles, and received Honorable Mention accolades.
The watch lists scheduled to be released Tuesday are for the Outland Trophy (interior lineman) and Nagurski Award (best defensive player).
Watch list tally through July 20
WEST VIRGINIA: Darius Stills (Chuck Bednarik Award)
MARSHALL: Brenden Knox (Doak Walker Award)
VIRGINIA TECH: Rayshard Ashby (Chuck Bednarik Award, Butkus Award); Caleb Farley (Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award); Jermaine Waller (Jim Thorpe Award)