BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State senior Akeem Davis-Gaither has made the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, which is given annually to the best linebacker in college football

Davis-Gaither is one of only eight linebackers from a Group of Five program on the watch list for the Butkus Award, and he's the only Sun Belt Conference linebacker on the list.

Davis-Gaither already had been named to the watch list for the Bednarik Award that goes to the College Defensive Player of the Year. He amassed 105 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, 1.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three quarterback hurries in 2018 for a defense that ranked fourth nationally in points allowed per game.

Davis-Gaither had the most tackles in the Sun Belt by a player from a bowl-eligible team, recorded three games with at least 14 tackles and had the eighth-most PBUs in the country among non-DBs.

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.