Michigan State’s star linebacker Joe Bachie has been named to the 2019 Butkus Award Watch List. The award is given each year to the best linebacker in NCAA football. Bachie is one of 51 players being flagged as favorites to win the award.
This continues an offseason filled with hype for Bachie and Michigan State’s defense. Not only is Bachie considered a favorite for the Butkus Award, but he is also on multiple preseason All-American lists. He is also on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s top defensive player. The Spartan senior has led the Spartans in tackles for the last two seasons.
Bachie earned the Downtown Coaches Club Award last season for being the most outstanding player on the Michigan State defense. Bachie has been a starter for the Spartans since his sophomore year and last year he became the third middle linebacker in the Mark Dantonio era to be voted First-Team All-Big Ten.
