UNC Football: Power Echols earns a spot on the Butkus Award Watch List

Power Echols isn't just vitally important to the UNC football program but is also regarded as one of the top linebackers in the country.

The rising senior continues to haul in the preseason accolades. He was recently named to the Bednarik Award Watch List and followed it by earning a spot on the Butkus Award Watch List for the 2024 college football season.

Since 1985, the Butkus Award, named after the legendary Dick Butkus, has been awarded to the most impactful linebacker that the sport of college football has to offer. The award has gotten bigger over time, as it now is presented annually to the top linebackers at the high school, college, and professional levels.

Although Cedric Gray earned a lot of attention over the last few seasons, Echols is a guy who deserves a lot of praise for his efforts at the linebacker position as well. Echols finished seventh in the ACC in tackles and was only one of seven players to record 100 or more tackles in the ACC. He clearly has a knack for getting involved often while on the field, as the Tar Heels were fortunate to have a very strong linebacker duo to rely on.

Echols will now transition to the middle linebacker spot, as the Tar Heels know that he's capable of taking over as the leader of the team's defensive unit. They hope another big season is in the works for Echols as he looks to prove that he belongs playing on Sundays in the NFL in the future.