Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg named to Butkus watch list

Minnesota Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg has been named to another watch list for a major award.

A day after he was included as a preseason candidate for one award , he was included as one for the Dick Butkus Award on Tuesday.

The Butkus Award is given annually to the top collegiate linebacker in the country.

Lindenberg, an Anoka native, was limited by injuries to just four games last season, but he still managed to record 31 tackles, 3.5 for loss and a forced fumble.

Semifinalists for the Butkus Award are set to be named on Nov. 4, with finalists unveiled on Nov. 25 and the winner revealed on Dec. 10.

The Gophers have now had at least one player on eight award watch lists this summer. Besides Lindenberg, the other Gophers to appear on those lists are Darnell Jefferies , Daniel Jackson , Darius Taylor , Dragan Kesich and Aireontae Ersery .

Minnesota is set to open the new season on Aug. 29 at home against North Carolina.