Aug. 29, 2007

ORLANDO, Fla. - University of Maryland linebacker Erin Henderson was named to the preseason watch list for the 2007 Butkus Award Tuesday in an announcement by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando.

The Butkus Award is bestowed upon the top linebacker in college football. Patrick Willis of Mississippi was the 2006 recipient.

Henderson is one of 65 student-athletes on the watch list. He has already been placed on the watch list for the Nagurski Trophy and the Bednarik Award, which both honor the top defensive player in the nation.

Henderson was a second-team All-ACC selection in 2006, after missing all of the previous year with a knee injury. He ranked second in the ACC and 31st nationally in tackles, posting 8.8 per game (114 total). The junior was also tied for second in the league in forced fumbles with 0.23 per contest.

Henderson, an Abeerdeen, Md., native, was named to the preseason Playboy All-America team in May. His brother E.J., who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings and was a Maryland All-America linebacker, won the 2002 Butkus and Bednarik Awards, and was a finalist for the 2002 Nagurski Trophy.

The Butkus Award Watch List will be trimmed to 10 semifinalists on Thursday, Oct. 18. That list will be cut to three finalists and will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 9. The winner will be announced in December in Orlando, Fla.

Henderson and the Terps kick off the 2007 season on Saturday when they play host to Villanova at 6 p.m. from Chevy Chase Bank Field at Byrd Stadium.