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University of Minnesota Athletics
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Baranowski Named to Preseason Watch List for Butkus Award
8/13/2026 11:00:00 AM | Football
The award is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker
University of Minnesota linebacker Maverick Baranowski was named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award today. The award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
Baranowski is one of 51 players on the list and one of 12 linebackers from the Big Ten to be recognized.
He started all 13 games last season and led Minnesota in tackles with 103 to become the first Gopher to eclipse the 100-tackle mark since Blake Cashman had 104 in 2018. Baranowski also added nine tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass breakup and forced one fumble.
The fifth-year linebacker from Ponce Inlet, Fla., has played in 38 career games and has 221 tackles (97 solo). Baranowski has 19 tackles for loss, five career sacks, five pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Baranowski and the rest of the Gophers kick off the 2026 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 against Eastern Illinois at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Baranowski is one of 51 players on the list and one of 12 linebackers from the Big Ten to be recognized.
He started all 13 games last season and led Minnesota in tackles with 103 to become the first Gopher to eclipse the 100-tackle mark since Blake Cashman had 104 in 2018. Baranowski also added nine tackles for loss, three sacks, one pass breakup and forced one fumble.
The fifth-year linebacker from Ponce Inlet, Fla., has played in 38 career games and has 221 tackles (97 solo). Baranowski has 19 tackles for loss, five career sacks, five pass breakups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Baranowski and the rest of the Gophers kick off the 2026 season on Thursday, Sept. 3 against Eastern Illinois at Huntington Bank Stadium.
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Friday, August 07