Wisconsin’s Jack Cichy, T.J. Edwards on Butkus Award watch list

It’s almost the end of WATCH LIST MANIA—we swear. Until we get there, though, we have a few more Wisconsin Badgers selections to report.

Inside linebackers Jack Cichy and T.J. Edwards were named to the Butkus Award watch list on Monday. There are actually three Butkus awards given out each year—one each for the nation’s best high school, collegiate, and professional linebackers.

Cichy’s name has lit up various award lists lately, with him already being named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bednarik Award, and Nagurski Trophy watch lists. Even after only playing in seven games last year, he was named a Butkus Award semifinalist after recording 60 tackles (seven for loss).

Edwards led the team in tackles the past two seasons. In 2016, he recorded 89 tackles (8.5 for loss) with three sacks and three interceptions. He also earned defensive MVP honors in Wisconsin’s Cotton Bowl win over Western Michigan.

Leon Jacobs squats... a lot

It’s been entertaining to see some of the pictures and videos coming out from Wisconsin’s summer conditioning program. On Monday, senior safety Natrell Jamerson shared a video on Instagram of him bench pressing 405 pounds.

On Tuesday, Wisconsin’s Twitter account showcased the players’ workouts. Check out redshirt senior outside linebacker Leon Jacobs:

That looks like seven plates on each side. Assuming each is 45 pounds, that’s 14 plates plus a 45-pound bar for a WHOPPING total of 675 pounds. SIX. HUNDRED. SEVENTY-FIVE. POUNDS.

It should be intriguing to see how Jacobs, with his combination of strength and speed, performs at outside linebacker this year.