SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WNDU) – A veteran Fighting Irish defense is receiving national recognition ahead of Notre Dame’s season opener at Texas A&M in less than three weeks.
Six-year college football linebacker Jack Kiser was named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award on Tuesday, given annually to the best linebacker in college football.
Three Notre Dame players have previously won the award. They include Manti Te’o (2012), Jaylon Smith (2015) and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2020).
Kiser has 185 career tackles and has been with the program since 2019, making him one of the longest-tenured individuals in the program.
“In years past, you’d get there and it was like it was fall camp all over again. The groaning, the bruises and all that, you’re kind of excited for football, but you know it’s going to be tough,” Kiser said. “When you’re in camp six, you know it’s the last one. You enjoy it a little more. You’re surrounded by younger guys who kind of re-energize you. I’m still learning and trying to get better, and it was a really great camp in that regard, too. Just knowing it’s the last one changes your whole perspective.”
Click here to view the full list of players on the Butkus Award preseason watch list.
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