Troy University Athletics
Carlton Martial Named to Butkus Award Watch List
7/26/2021 8:56:00 AM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Watch list season continues to be busy for Troy linebacker Carlton Martial with the Trojan junior landing on the Butkus Award Watch List, the Butkus Foundation announced Monday morning. This marks the second watch list among his numerous preseason honors for one of the nation's top linebackers.
The list contains 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey associated with the award's namesake Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history. Semifinalists are expected to be named Nov. 1, finalists Nov. 22, and winners on or before Dec. 7. The Butkus Award is presented annually to the nation's top linebacker.
A preseason All-American, Martial most recently was named the No. 41 player in the country by Pro Football Focus after he led the nation in tackles last season and his combined total for the 2019 and 2020 seasons are also first nationally.
A native of Mobile, Ala., Martial, who checks in at 5-foot-9, recorded 113 tackles in 2020 and has 239 tackles since the start of the 2019 season. He finished 2020 with 10.0 tackles for loss and was one of just nine players nationally to rank in the top 50 in both tackles and tackles for loss following the regular season. Martial broke up a trio of passes and intercepted Coastal Carolina's Grayson McCall (one of just two on the year) to set up a late go-ahead score for the Trojans in the season finale.
In 2019, he was named to the PFF All-America Second Team and became just the 12th player and first underclassman in the last 20 years at the FBS level to finish a season with at least 100 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and three interceptions. He closed the year with 126 tackles, the most by a Troy player since 2000, and 18.5 tackles for loss, the fifth most in a season in Troy history, and three picks. Martial was the only player in the country to rank in the top eight nationally in tackles (10.5) and tackles for loss per game (1.54).
Martial has twice been named to the All-Sun Belt First Team and was a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy in 2020, which is presented to the nation's top player who began his career as a walk-on.
2021 Troy Preseason Honors
Dylan Bradshaw
Rimington Trophy Watch List
Carlton Martial
No. 41 Player in the Country – Pro Football Focus
Pro Football Focus All-America Second Team
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
Butkus Award Watch List
Kimani Vidal
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Players Mentioned
𝗕𝗘𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗟𝗟 - 𝗦𝟭𝟬, 𝗘𝟲
Wednesday, October 15
Behind the Wall - S10, E6
Wednesday, October 15
Football Press Conference (Players) - ULM Game
Monday, October 13
Gerad Parker Press Conference - ULM Game
Monday, October 13