TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo senior linebacker Dallas Gant was named to the Butkus Award watch list on Thursday. He is one of only two players from the Mid-American Conference to make the list for the award which is presented annually to the top linebacker in the nation.

Gant was a First-Team All-MAC selection in 2022. He led the team with 116 tackles and ranked 10th in the MAC and 57th in the nation with 8.3 tackles/game. He is also on the Wuerffel Trophy watch list, given annually to the college football player who best serves others.

Instituted in 1985, The Butkus Award is one of the elite individual honors, originally given each year to one player in college football: the most impactful linebacker in the game. An independent Butkus Award Selection Committee conducts the selection process each year. The committee is comprised of 51 experts, including professional, college, and high school scouts, and prominent sports journalists.

So far this season, eight Rockets have been named to 10 spots on preseason national award watch lists. 

Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (Athletics/Academics/Community)
Daniel Bolden, Jr., LB

Biletnikoff Award (Top Receiver)
Jerjuan Newton, Jr., WR

Bronko Naguarki Trophy (Top Defensive Player)
Maxen Hook, Jr., Safety
Quinyon Mitchell, Jr., CB

Butkus Award (Top Linebacker)
Dallas Gant, Sr., LB

Davey O'Brien Award (Top Quarterback)
Dequan Finn, Jr, QB

Maxwell Award (Player of the Year)
Dequan Finn, Jr, QB

Outland Trophy (Top Lineman)
Nick Rosi, Jr., OL

Paul Hornung Award (Most Versatile)
Jacquez Stuart, Jr., RB

Wuerffel Trophy (Community Service)
Dallas Gant, Sr., LB

The defending MAC Champion Rockets open their season at Illinois on Sept. 2 before debuting at home with "Toledo's Biggest Party" on Saturday, Sept. 9 in a 3:30 p.m. matchup with Texas Southern. To order tickets or for more information, please visit this link or call/text 419.530.GOLD (4653) or stop by the Rocket Ticket Office located in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena during office hours.