Alexander Tabbed To Butkus Watch List
August 13, 2026 | Football
SEATTLE – Washington's Xe'ree Alexander is one of 51 players selected to the Butkus Award preseason watch list, The Butkus Foundation announced this morning.
The 51-player watch list honors Dick Butkus' iconic No. 51 jersey and recognizes the toughness, instincts, leadership, competitiveness, and football character that defined one of the greatest defensive players in football history.
Alexander, a fourth-year linebacker from Auburn, Wash., played in all 13 games for Washington last season while starting in five. He was second on the team with 70 tackles and five tackles for loss. Alexander was named the defensive MVP of the L.A. Bowl after finishing the game with an interception, a team-high seven tackles, a sack and two pass break-ups. He also posted a season-high 12 tackles in the Huskies' win over No. 23 Illinois.
The Butkus Award remains one of college football's most respected individual honors, recognizing linebackers whose performance reflects the standard established by Dick Butkus more than six decades ago at the University of Illinois and throughout his Hall of Fame NFL career.
Semifinalists for the 2026 Butkus Award will be announced on October 28, finalists on November 20, and the winner will be revealed during the week of December 7. Selection is based on performance throughout the season, and appearance on the preseason watch list is not required for a player to win the Award.
Washington Preseason Watch Lists
Dodd Trophy – Jedd Fisch
Allstate Good Works Team – Landen Hatchett
Maxwell Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Rimington Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Lou Groza Award – Tyler Robles
John Mackey Award – Decker DeGraaf
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Butkus Award – Xe'ree Alexander
The 51-player watch list honors Dick Butkus' iconic No. 51 jersey and recognizes the toughness, instincts, leadership, competitiveness, and football character that defined one of the greatest defensive players in football history.
Alexander, a fourth-year linebacker from Auburn, Wash., played in all 13 games for Washington last season while starting in five. He was second on the team with 70 tackles and five tackles for loss. Alexander was named the defensive MVP of the L.A. Bowl after finishing the game with an interception, a team-high seven tackles, a sack and two pass break-ups. He also posted a season-high 12 tackles in the Huskies' win over No. 23 Illinois.
The Butkus Award remains one of college football's most respected individual honors, recognizing linebackers whose performance reflects the standard established by Dick Butkus more than six decades ago at the University of Illinois and throughout his Hall of Fame NFL career.
Semifinalists for the 2026 Butkus Award will be announced on October 28, finalists on November 20, and the winner will be revealed during the week of December 7. Selection is based on performance throughout the season, and appearance on the preseason watch list is not required for a player to win the Award.
Washington Preseason Watch Lists
Dodd Trophy – Jedd Fisch
Allstate Good Works Team – Landen Hatchett
Maxwell Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Rimington Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Lou Groza Award – Tyler Robles
John Mackey Award – Decker DeGraaf
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Butkus Award – Xe'ree Alexander
Players Mentioned
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