Penn State football linebacker Kobe King has been named to the Butkus Award watch list. The award is presented annually to the top linebacker in college football, with other awards presented in conjunction to top professional and high school linebackers.

A redshirt junior, King has made 30 appearances with 11 starts in his Penn State career. In 2023, he earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention from coaches and media after recording 59 tackles, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one quarterback hurry.

The Butkus Award is voted upon by 51 members, a nod to the late Dick Butkus’ No. 51 jersey. Fifty-one players were named to the watch list, and that list will be trimmed to a semifinalist list on November 4. Finalists for the Butkus Award will be named on November 25 with the winner announced on December 10.