Ole Miss linebacker Khari Coleman named to Butkus Award Preseason Watch List
CHICAGO – (Release) Ole Miss senior linebacker Khari Coleman was named to the Butkus Award Collegiate Preseason Watch List on Thursday morning.
Coleman is one of 51 total linebackers selected to the watch list for the Butkus Award, a nod to its namesake Dick Butkus, who wore the number 51 during his storied professional career with the Chicago Bears that earned him the title of greatest defensive player in football history by NFL Films.
The Butkus Award was founded in 1985 and is given out annually to football’s top linebacker at three different levels of the sport, particularly those who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a traditional two-point stance.
The Khari Coleman File
Coleman appeared in 11 games and made four starts for the Rebels in 2022, tallying 42 total tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two quarterback hurries.
Khari Coleman chases down Daniels for the big sack pic.twitter.com/jA1bqINnCH
— T.J. (@TJOxley1) October 22, 2022
Coleman’s Ole Miss debut against Troy last season was highlighted by 5.0 tackles for loss, making him the third Rebel since 1999 with at least 5.0 TFL in a single game. This year, Coleman was named to the Preseason All-SEC fourth team by Phil Steele.
The award semifinalists are expected to be named Oct. 30 with finalists to follow Nov. 20. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 6.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
