CHICAGO-Monday, Utah and BYU football each received representatives on the Dick Butkus Award Watch List.

This award is annually given to the top linebacker in FBS football and is named after the former University of Illinois and Chicago Bears star linebacker.

Representing the Utes is senior linebacker Mohamoud Diabate and BYU placed sophomore linebacker Ben Bywater and junior linebacker Payton Wilgar on the watch list.

Diabatate is a transfer to the Utes’ program from Florida.

Last season with the Gators, Diabate netted 34 solo tackles (89 total stops) and 2.5 tackles for a loss.

In 2021, Bywater posted 57 solo tackles (102 total stops), a sack and 8.5 tackles for a loss.

In 2021, Wilgar, a former Dixie High School star, netted a forced fumble, two interceptions, 1.5 sacks and seven tackles for a loss.