Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Douglas Rippy was one of the most productive linebackers in the Pac-12 last season before tearing his ACL in the team's seventh game against the Washington Huskies. Those seven games, though, were enough to get him placed on the 2012 Butkus Award Watch List. The award is given out to the top linebacker in college football. In those seven games last season, Rippy amassed 43 total tackles, as well as 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.

BYU Cougars linebacker Uona Kaveinga is also tabbed on the watch list. In 13 games last season, Kaveinga totaled 57 tackles, with 4.5 of those going for a loss. He also forced four fumbles and broke up a pass.

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