BYU transfer Jack Kelly lands on Butkus Award preseason watch list

BYU might have the best pass rusher in the Big 12 Conference with Weber State transfer Jack Kelly — they also might have one of the nation’s best linebackers.

Kelly was named to the Butkus Award preseason watch list on Aug. 13 — the award given to the nation’s best collegiate linebacker — following defensive end Tyler Batty being named to the Bednarik Award watch list for the nation’s top defensive player.

Kelly, 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, had dominated FCS competition the last two seasons. In 2023, Kelly had 56 tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss and led the Big Sky Conference with 10.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

Over the last two seasons, Kelly, a Kearns, Utah, native had 16.5 sacks. Kelly was ranked as a four-star transfer by 247Sports and No. 94 in its overall transfer portal rankings.

BYU opens its season on Aug. 31 at home against Southern Illinois.