Khalil Hodge Named to Butkus Award Watch List

With the first name Khalil, and a position assignment of linebacker for the UB Bulls, it might be easy to think that Buffalo senior Khalil Hodge would be in the shadow of the great UB linebacker Khalil Mack.

But over the last couple of seasons Khalil Hodge has done a fine job at carving out his own legacy, and his own place in the UB record books.

This summer there has been a buzz around the Stockton native who lead the City College of San Francisco to a state championship in 2015, before transferring to Buffalo.

Hodge was added to the Bednarik Award list, and he’s been talked as a day one draft prospect.

Now you can add being put on the Butkus Award watchlist.

The Award is given annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

The watch list contains 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary “51” pro jersey associated with the Award’s namesake Dick Butkus. Hodge was the only player from the Mid-American Conference to be named the list.

All Hodge did to get here was put up 277 tackles over the past two seasons, more than any other player in the nation. And, last year, he grabbed the UB record for tackles in a season, with 154.

It’s a huge honor for Hodge and a reminder to fans that he’s not “the other Khalil”, just straight up the best tackler in UB history and one of the best in the nation.