CORAL GABLES, Fla.– University of Miami sophomore linebacker Shaquille Quarterman earned his third major preseason accolade Monday, picking up a spot on the 51-man watch list for the prestigious Butkus Award, honoring the nation’s top linebacker, according to a Miami Hurricanes sports release.

Quarterman also earned a place on the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award, which both honor the nation’s top defensive player.

The Orange Park, Fla., native and a graduate of Oakleaf High School, is one of seven Hurricanes to have earned preseason recognition, joining senior kicker Michael Badgley (Groza Award), senior wide receiver Braxton Berrios (Hornung Award) senior tight end Christopher Herndon IV (Mackey Award), junior defensive lineman Kendrick Norton (Bednarik Award, Nagurski Award, Outland Trophy) senior defensive lineman Chad Thomas

(Nagurski) and running back Mark Walton (Maxwell Award).

A Freshman All-American by several publications a year ago, Quarterman delivered a standout first season for the Hurricanes in 2016. The Florida native started all 13 games and ranked second on the team with 84 tackles, including 43 solo stops. He also finished with 10.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and earned All-ACC third-team honors.

Mirroring the legendary “51” pro jersey of the award’s namesake Dick Butkus, whom NFL Films considers the best defensive player in football history, each watch list features 51 players identified by a 51-person selection panel of deeply experienced coaches, talent evaluators and journalists. Appearance on the watch list is not required to become a winner.

The Collegiate Butkus Award watch list includes candidates from 42 universities, including six returning semifinalists and one returning finalist, Josey Jewell of Iowa.

The High School Butkus Award watch list includes candidates from 50 secondary schools across 23 states. Florida (seven), California (six) and Ohio (five) claim the most candidates among states.

Semifinalists will be named Oct. 30, finalists on Nov. 20 and winners will be notified on or before Dec. 5. The professional winner will be announced in early 2018.

Formed in 1985, the Butkus Award was expanded in 2008 to honor linebackers at three levels while helping spread the word about Butkus’ I Play Clean initiative which encourages teens to eat well, train hard, and play with attitude instead of resorting to performance-enhancing drugs.

The Butkus Award, www.thebutkusaward.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/51.butkus, is presented by the Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. Selection criteria is located on the official website. The Butkus Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. Its 23 awards have honored more than 800 people since 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org for more information.