July 16, 2012

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss senior defensive lineman Jamie Collins added to his list of preseason awards watch lists on Monday when he was named to his third and forth lists, the Butkus Award presented by the Butkus Foundation and the Rotary Lombardi Trophy presented by the Rotary Club of Houston.

The 28th annual Butkus Award is given to the nation's top linebacker and is named in honor of retired NFL linebacker Dick Butkus, regarded by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history. Each watch list, both for high school and college players, contains 51 candidates, Butkus' now-retired professional jersey number.

Now in it's 43rd year, the Rotary Lombardi Award goes annually to the college football lineman -- offense or defense -- who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi. As the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, Lombardi first made a name for himself as the smallest but toughest member of Fordham University's "Seven Blocks of Granite," renowned in their day (1934-37) for being the most unyielding line in college football.

Collins has also been named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Bednarik Award this preseason.

The McCall Creek, Miss. Native plays a unique role in the Southern Miss defense, both as a linebacker and defensive end. Collins returns as the team's top tackler. In three seasons, Collins has posted 222 stops (127 solos) with 25.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, to go along with 10 pass breaks, four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, three interceptions and a blocked kick.

Two of his interceptions have been returned for touchdowns, including a 97-yard return last year at East Carolina and a 32-yard against the Pirates at home in 2010.

Semi-finalists for the Butkus Award will be named October 22, finalists November 20, and winners will be notified on or before December 4. Winners will be featured in a television special a week before the Super Bowl.

The 43rd Rotary Lombardi Award will be announced on national television live in "prime-time" event, set for Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at The Hobby Center in Houston, Texas.