After Devin White secured the Butkus Award last season, four LSU Tigers were named to the Butkus Award Watch List heading into the 2019 season.
LSU’s list of Butkus Award candidates includes sophomore K’Lavon Chaisson, senior Michael Divinity, along with juniors Jacob Phillips and Patrick Queen.
Phillips is the program’s top returning tackler from last season, accumulating 87 tackles to go along with 5.5 tackles for loss. He also returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown in LSU’s season-opening win over Miami.
Divinity recorded 54 tackles, led the Tigers in sacks with 5.0 and was second on the squad with 10.5 tackles for loss a year ago. Divinity also had an interception and returned a fumble 58 yards for a touchdown against Texas A&M.
Queen posted 40 tackles in 2018, which included leading the Tigers with nine tackles and a sack for a 22-yard loss in the win over UCF in the Fiesta Bowl.
Chaisson may have only played in one game last season, but is expected to be at full strength when fall camp starts up next week.
The Butkus Award is presented annually to the best linebacker in college football.