Two Ohio State football players named to Butkus Award watchlist

The Ohio State football team has had a long history of great linebackers. A.J. Hawk, James Laurinaitis, and Darron Lee are just some of the great Buckeye linebackers in recent history. While that list has gotten a little light recently, the Buckeyes have two great linebackers on this year's team.

Sonny Styles has moved to linebacker with the addition of Caleb Downs. Styles has always been able to come downhill and make some plays in the run game. Now that he's at linebacker, he'll be able to do that even more. He's also still a good player in coverage.

C.J. Hicks is finally going to get some significant playing time. He is a former five-star recruit and is someone that Ohio State football fans have been waiting to contribute for a while. Those two linebackers have been named to a prestigious award watchlist.

Two Ohio State football players named to Butkus Award watchlist

Both linebackers have been named to the Butkus Award watchlist, which is given to the best linebacker in college football. Both Styles and Hicks are on the list despite battling each other for the same starting position. That battle hasn't been resolved yet.

Despite this, both linebackers are going to play a lot this season. Jim Knowles made that very clear. The Buckeyes are also going to change some of their defensive sets in order to accommodate the talent that they have at the linebacker position. That's a good thing.

I think either one of these guys could eventually be the best linebacker on the roster. I think Cody Simon will eventually fade away in terms of his playing time and these two guys will emerge as the main linebackers. They have the most pure talent at that position.

The Ohio State football team has a very talented defense. A lot of players have a shot to win awards on that side of the ball.