UC linebacker named to Butkus watch list
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 2:55 p.m. EDT July 12, 2016


Eric Wilson has become the latest University of Cincinnati football player named to a national preseason Watch List.

Wilson, a senior, earned a spot Tuesday on the watch list for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top linebacker.

Wilson (Hampton, Va./Phoebus/Northwestern), led the Bearcats with 106 tackles last year, including 51 solos. He added 3.5 tackles for loss, forced a fumble and recovered two more. He appeared in all 13 games, recording double-digit tackles in four outings with a career-high 18 as UC captured the Victory Bell against rival Miami (Ohio), earning American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Wilson twice had 14 tackles, including wins over Miami (Fla.) and Tulsa, while posting 11 in the victory over UConn. For his career, Wilson has recorded 136 tackles, seven for a loss. Wilson joined UC as a transfer from Northwestern in 2013, sitting out that season under transfer rules.

Wilson becomes the seventh Bearcats player named to a national watch list this summer, joining center Deyshawn Bond (Rimington), quarterback Gunner Kiel (Maxwell), running back Mike Boone (Maxwell), tight end DJ Dowdy (Mackey), kicker Andrew Gantz (Groza) and defensive back Zach Edwards (Thorpe).

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/c.../86985614/

More power to Eric Wilson and his upcoming senior season. But it almost to the point of any senior that plays is on some list at their position. It borders on a resume building, participation trophy.

I am waiting for a walk-on backup senior to be on some position trophy list.

(07-13-2016 07:26 AM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  More power to Eric Wilson and his upcoming senior season. But it almost to the point of any senior that plays is on some list at their position. It borders on a resume building, participation trophy.

I am waiting for a walk-on backup senior to be on some position trophy list.

All of these watch-lists start with 50 players, which may seem like a lot in some cases where there is only one position eligible (Davey O'Brien, Groza, Guy)...but it actually turns out being just under 6% of the starting linebackers in FBS and FCS (only players who are eligible), given that there are probably three starters per team and there are right around 260 teams in FBS and FCS.

(07-13-2016 07:34 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  All of these watch-lists start with 50 players, which may seem like a lot in some cases where there is only one position eligible (Davey O'Brien, Groza, Guy)...but it actually turns out being just under 6% of the starting linebackers in FBS and FCS (only players who are eligible), given that there are probably three starters per team and there are right around 260 teams in FBS and FCS.

Great post.

(07-13-2016 07:34 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 07:26 AM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  More power to Eric Wilson and his upcoming senior season. But it almost to the point of any senior that plays is on some list at their position. It borders on a resume building, participation trophy.

I am waiting for a walk-on backup senior to be on some position trophy list.

All of these watch-lists start with 50 players, which may seem like a lot in some cases where there is only one position eligible (Davey O'Brien, Groza, Guy)...but it actually turns out being just under 6% of the starting linebackers in FBS and FCS (only players who are eligible), given that there are probably three starters per team and there are right around 260 teams in FBS and FCS.

Deshawn Bond has been on the Rimington list for the past 3 years. These lists are not exclusive to seniors.

(07-13-2016 09:29 AM)rosewater Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 07:34 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 07:26 AM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  More power to Eric Wilson and his upcoming senior season. But it almost to the point of any senior that plays is on some list at their position. It borders on a resume building, participation trophy.

I am waiting for a walk-on backup senior to be on some position trophy list.

All of these watch-lists start with 50 players, which may seem like a lot in some cases where there is only one position eligible (Davey O'Brien, Groza, Guy)...but it actually turns out being just under 6% of the starting linebackers in FBS and FCS (only players who are eligible), given that there are probably three starters per team and there are right around 260 teams in FBS and FCS.

Deshawn Bond has been on the Rimington list for the past 3 years. These lists are not exclusive to seniors.

Never said that; Rimmington is much the same way. Three starting interior linemen per team (regardless of class) 260 teams and 50 players on the list = top 6%.

After reassessing your post, I can't tell if you're commenting on my reply or Otto's initial post. My apologies if my response was unwarranted.

(07-13-2016 10:09 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 09:29 AM)rosewater Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 07:34 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  

(07-13-2016 07:26 AM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  More power to Eric Wilson and his upcoming senior season. But it almost to the point of any senior that plays is on some list at their position. It borders on a resume building, participation trophy.

I am waiting for a walk-on backup senior to be on some position trophy list.

All of these watch-lists start with 50 players, which may seem like a lot in some cases where there is only one position eligible (Davey O'Brien, Groza, Guy)...but it actually turns out being just under 6% of the starting linebackers in FBS and FCS (only players who are eligible), given that there are probably three starters per team and there are right around 260 teams in FBS and FCS.

Deshawn Bond has been on the Rimington list for the past 3 years. These lists are not exclusive to seniors.

Never said that; Rimmington is much the same way. Three starting interior linemen per team (regardless of class) 260 teams and 50 players on the list = top 6%.

After reassessing your post, I can't tell if you're commenting on my reply or Otto's initial post. My apologies if my response was unwarranted.

Yea it was otto. No big deal.