Penn State football linebackers Abdul Carter and Curtis Jacobs were selected to the Butkus Award watch list and cornerback Kalen King was named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list Thursday. The Butkus Award recognizes the top linebacker in college football, while the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is given to the best defensive back.

Carter exploded onto the scene in the 2022 season as a true freshman, appearing in all 13 games and starting in six. Across those games, he recorded 56 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks. He was tabbed for Freshman All-American honors by ESPN, Pro Football Focus, 247Sports, and On3. Carter was also given Second-Team All-Big Ten honors by media and Third-Team All-Big Ten honors by coaches.

The Butkus Award watch list is Carter’s third of the preseason after he was named to watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which recognizes the top defensive player in college football, and the LOTT Impact Trophy, which is given to a player with a high level of character and performance.

Curtis Jacobs enters his junior season at Penn State with 32 appearances and 23 starts under his belt. In 2022, Jacobs made 52 tackles with four sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, and an interception returned for a touchdown. He earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention from media and coaches after the 2022 season.

Like Jacobs, King enters his third season at Penn State, though with only 26 appearances and 14 starts. In 2022, he recorded 30 tackles, 18 pass breakups, 21 passes defended, and three interceptions. He led the Big Ten in passes defended and pass breakups, and was third in the nation for both. He was named to the All-Big Ten third team by coaches and media. Like Carter, King was named to watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award and the LOTT Impact Trophy.