Martin, Oliver Included on Butkus Award Preseason Watch List

It’d make sense that if Nick Martin and Collin Oliver were on a watch list for the defensive player of the year, they’d also be on the watch list for the best linebacker in college football.

The Butkus Award on Tuesday released its watch list for the award — given to the best linebacker in the country — where Oliver and Martin were two of 51 linebackers on the list. Only seven teams had multiple linebackers on the watch list, with Utah being the only other in the Big 12.

Entering his senior season (how time flies), Oliver has accumulated 130 tackles throughout his first three years of college football, including 22.5 sacks, which puts him fifth in program history — needing 11.5 sacks to tie Leslie O’Neal for first. He started his career as a defensive end before moving back to linebacker ahead of last season. He’s listed at backer again in 2024, but he is expected to move around the Cowboys’ defense.

“Collin will move around and play second level some,” said OSU coach Mike Gundy on Tuesday. “We’ll walk him up. We’ll bring him some, bring him from depth. Moving those guys around and just trying to use all the skillset they have at this time. Most of it will depend on who we’re playing.”

Martin joined Oliver in OSU’s 2021 recruiting class, but whereas Oliver made an instant impact, Martin waited in the shadows for his opportunity and made full advantage of it. In his first year as a starter last season, Martin led the Big 12 with 140 total tackles. He also had 16 tackles for loss, six sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Martin redshirted in 2021, so he actually has two seasons of eligibility remaining, including this upcoming season.

“Nick loves football,” Gundy said. “He’s an old-school tough guy. He would play football for free. He’s changed his body. I think he’s at 222 [pounds] or something now, and he can run really fast. He’s violent, and he’s willing to be relentless with his body. He doesn’t care what happens to his body when he plays. In my opinion, to be a good college football player, you have to disregard the health of your body to play the game. And he’s willing to do that — not only in games, but in practice.”

Finalists for the Butkus Award are expected to be named Nov. 25 and the winner announced Dec. 10.