University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior Jahlani Tavai was named to the 2018 preseason watch list for The Butkus Award, honoring the nation's best linebacker, and Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given to the top defensive player.

It marks the second straight year that Tavai was selected to the Nagurski Watch List while the first time the senior and two-time Mountain West pick has appeared on the Butkus list.
 
The Butkus Award watch list includes 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey associated with the Award's namesake Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history. The Nagurski watch list includes 97 defensive players.
 
Tavai has been one of the nation's leading tacklers the last two seasons. As a junior, he led the Warriors with 124 tackles and ranked 10th nationally in total tackles and tackles per game (10.3). The native of Inglewood, Calif.,  also led the team and ranked in the top 10 in the Mountain West in sacks (5.5) and tackles-for-loss (11.0). One of the conference's most feared defenders, he has topped 100 total tackles in each of his last two seasons.
 
Semifinalists for The Butkus Award will be named October 29, finalists November 19, and winners will be notified on or before December 4. The Butkus Award, thebutkusaward.com and on Facebook at 51.butkus, is presented by the nonprofit Butkus Foundation.

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 14. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.