CHICAGO (July 22, 2019) - FIU football's Sage Lewis was named to the Butkus Award Watch List on Monday morning, joining 50 other candidates as the Panther is recognized as one of the best linebackers in the nation. 

Each watch list contains 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey associated with the Award's namesake Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history. The Collegiate Butkus Award watch list includes candidates from 39 universities, including returning finalist Dylan Moses of Alabama who won the 2016 high school Butkus Award, and returning semifinalist Markus Bailey of Purdue. 

Semi-finalists will be named November 4, finalists November 25, and winners on or before December 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award.

Lewis was named the Conference USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year last week, ahead of the C-USA Media Kickoff in Frisco, Texas. 

After making the move to middle linebacker in 2018, Lewis broke the school record in total tackles (132) and solos (83) while ranking first in the league for both of those categories. Lewis' 83 solos ranked 10th in the nation last season, with that same number ranking third in the country among 2019 returnees. Lewis was awarded C-USA First Team honors following his stellar junior campaign in 2018. 

As a reminder, season tickets for the 2019 FIU football season are now on sale. For more information, or to order your tickets by phone, please call (305) FIU-GAME.

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Entering its 18th year of football in 2019, the FIU Panthers are coming off a program-best nine wins a season ago. FIU capped 2018 with a 35-32 victory over Toledo in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl to finish the season 9-4 overall. Under legendary head coach Butch Davis, the Panthers have earned back-to-back bowl appearances and 17 wins in the last two years.
 
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