July 17, 2017
Tre' Williams is on the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, presented to the nation's best linebacker. Williams is one of 51 candidates for the award and one of 11 candidates from the Southeastern Conference.
The Mobile native racked up 67 tackles in 11 games in 2016 while contributing 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The 6-2, 225-pound senior has started 10 of 36 games in his three-year career and has accumulated 138 tackles as a Tiger.
A key contributor on one of the nation's most improved defenses in 2016, Williams and the Tigers ranked seventh in scoring defense (17.1 points per game), 27th in rushing defense (132.7 yards per game) and 28th in total defense (361.9 yards per game). With eight starters returning on the defense, the Tigers look to make even more improvement in 2017.
The award named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus aims to recognize the linebacker who best shows great success on the field and in contributions to the community. The foundation recognizes a high school, collegiate and professional linebacker each year.
The award is voted on by a committee of 51 experts (Butkus wore No. 51 during his playing career) appointed by the Butkus Award Foundation. His jersey number is also represented by the number of candidates chosen for the preseason watch list.
No Auburn player has previously won the award but Takeo Spikes (1996 & 1997) and Karlos Dansby (2003) were both semifinalists.