Doug Rippy Named To The Butkus Award Watch List

Colordao Buffaloes linebacker Douglas Rippy has joined Ray Polk, Darragh O'Neill, Gus Handler, and David Bakhtiari as Buffs named to preseason award watch lists this offseason. Rippy was named to the Butkus Award Watch List yesterday, annually given to the nation's top linebacker.

Rippy was on pace for an exceptional junior year when he suffered a season-ending injury.

Rippy led the team with 62 tackles (19 solo) in the first seven games last season before suffering a season ending injury. He had three games with 10 or more tackles and averaged 8.9 tackles per game - tied for the most on the team with Anthony Perkins. The Columbus, Ohio native also finished with three sacks and had two more tackles for a loss. He sacked or assisted with a sack of the quarterback in each of the first four games of 2012.

Colorado has had five players be finalists for the Butkus: Alfred Williams, Ted Johnson, Matt Russell and Jordan Dizon. Williams (1990) and Russell (1996) both won the award while Johnson (1994) and Dizon (2007) were runner-ups.

Also honored yesterday was junior offensive tackle David Bakhtiari, who garned his second preseason honor by being included on the Lombardi Award Watch List, given to the nation's top offensive or defensive lineman or linebacker.

Congrats, guys!