CENTRAL MICHIGAN— CMU senior linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski is one of 51 players nationwide to be named to the preseason Butkus award watch list.
The 51-player list pays tribute to the number the legendary Dick Butkus wore during his Hall of Fame NFL career. The award is given to the player deemed the top linebacker in the country at the end of each season. Kwiatkowski is the only player from the MAC to be nominated for the award. He’s also a consensus preseason 1st team All-MAC selection, after being named 2nd-team last season and leading the Chippewas in both solo and total tackles, as well as tackles for loss. We spoke with Kwiatkowski about the honor and his focus for the upcoming year under new head coach Matt Drinkall.
“Yeah. I feel really good. Strong, fast. Biggest I’ve ever felt. So most athletic I’ve been, you know. Took a lot of work.
You know, as I get progressing, my football career, you kind of start to see the hard work shape out and you see the things you work your, your tail off for.
So, you know, I’m very blessed and grateful, but, you know, it’s a preseason thing. So I just really want to get out there with my guys and lead and ball out" (Kwiatkowski).
The defensive leader and the Chippewas will play their first game against San Jose State on August 29th.