Stanquan Clark named to Butkus Award Watchlist
Louisville linebacker Stanquan Clark has been named to the preseason Butkus Award Watchlist.
The award is presented to the best linebacker in college football, and the 2025-26 season will mark the 41st year in the award’s history.
Clark had a fantastic sophomore season with the Cardinals. He earned an All-ACC Honorable Mention and finished the season second on the team in tackles with 76. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder was also second on the team with 7.5 tackles for loss and had five games with seven or more tackles.
As a unit, the Cards’ linebacker group has a chance to be one of the most productive in the ACC. All three starters from a season ago return — Clark, Antonio Watts, and T.J. Quinn. But it might be Clark with the most breakout potential. He’s the youngest of the three and extremely explosive in the box. Clark also snagged two interceptions, forced two fumbles, and totaled four passes defended last fall.
Phil Steele recently had Clark as a second-team All-ACC linebacker in the preseason. He is the Cards’ highest-rated player on the defensive side of the ball entering the season.
The Miami, Florida, product missed spring practice with an undisclosed injury, and Louisville is just now getting Clark back for the start of fall camp. He may start slow, but after the big jump Clark made from his freshman to sophomore year, the expectation is that the linebacker could have a breakthrough season in the Red and Black. And he may even be a sleeper candidate to be selected in next April’s NFL Draft.
Georgia’s Jalon Walker won the Butkus Award last season, and this year’s list included eight players representing the ACC — the third most of any conference in the nation.
Semifinalists will be announced beginning in November and will be chosen by a selection committee consisting of former players, coaches, and media members. There are 51 players named to the preseason watch list, paying homage to Dick Butkus’ number during his playing career.
The winner will be honored at a ceremony at Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in early 2026, featured on the Big Ten Network.
