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Plenty of Bearcats are getting recognition on preseason award watch lists. Whether its Andrew Gantz, DJ Dowdy, Mike Boone, Gunner Kiel or Zach Edwards, the best of the best at Cincinnati are getting some limelight.
Linebacker Eric Wilson is the most recent honoree, having been named to the Butkus Award watch list. Since 1985, the award has been given to the best linebacker in the country. Last year’s winner was Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith.
In 2015, Wilson, who transferred to UC from Northwestern in 2013, enjoyed a breakout season, recording a team-high 106 tackles, as well as 3.5 stops for loss. That production led to Wilson’s inclusion on the All-AAC second team. He will face competition from a trio of fellow linebackers from the American Athletic Conference, including two from Houston. Tyus Bowser (Houston), Steven Taylor (Houston) and Auggie Sanchez (USF) were all on the list as well. Sanchez and Taylor were both second-team All-AAC performers as well.