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Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Jordan Kwiatkowski Named to Butkus Award Watch List
7/31/2025 10:42:00 AM | Football
Kwiatkowski is the lone MAC player selected for the 51-player Butkus Award watch list, which honors the nation’s top linebacker.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Senior linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski was one of 51 players nationwide selected to the preseason watch list for Butkus Award, which honors the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
The 51-player list pays tribute to Dick Butkus' iconic No. 51 jersey worn during his Hall of Fame career as the most feared defender in football history. Candidates for the 2025 Butkus Award represent 39 colleges and universities nationwide. Kwiatkowski was the only Mid-American Conference player named to the list.
Award semifinalists will be named on November 4, finalists will be announced on November 25, and the winner will be revealed by December 10.
Kwiatkowski is a consensus preseason All-MAC first team selection by Athlon, Lindy's, and Phil Steele. He was listed as the No. 40 ranked draft eligible inside linebacker by Lindy's Magazine.
In 2024, Kwiatkowski earned Second Team All-MAC honors after leading Central Michigan in tackles (96), solo tackles (48), tackles for loss (14.5-30 yards), along with one interception, one pass breakup, and a quarterback hurry. The Sterling Heights, Mich. native ranked No. 46 in the nation in total tackles (8.0 per game), No. 8 in the MAC in tackles (8.0 per game), and No. 3 in tackles for loss (1.17 per game). He also registered 10 or more tackles in four games and led CMU in tackles in five contests.
In his three-year career at Central Michigan Kwiatkowski has played in 34 games, has made a total of 138 total tackles (69 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss for 31 yards, one interception, four pass breakups and a blocked kick. He has totaled 10 or more tackles in six career games.
2025 CENTRAL MICHIGAN'S PRESEASON FOOTBALL HONORS
NATIONAL HONORS/WATCH LIST
Butkus Award Watch List: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
AFCA Good Works Team nominee: Michael Heldman, DL
Wuerffel Trophy nominee: Michael Heldman, DL
ATHLON MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Michael Heldman, DL; Dakota Cochran, LB; Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Second Team: Brady Ploucha, OL
Third Team: Tyson Davis, WR; Kade Kostus, DL; Caleb Spann, DB
Fourth Team: Trey Cornist, RB; Elijah Rikard, DB
LINDY'S MAGAZINE PRESASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Second Team: Dakota Cochran, LB
No. 40 Draft Eligible ILB: Jordan Kwiatkowski
PHIL STEELE MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Second Team: Dakota Cochran, LB; Ben Pratt, LS
Third Team: Kade Kostus, DL; Michael Heldman, DL
Fourth Team: DeCorion Temple, TE; Brady Ploucha, OL; Fernando Sanchez III, LB; Caleb Spann, DB
The 51-player list pays tribute to Dick Butkus' iconic No. 51 jersey worn during his Hall of Fame career as the most feared defender in football history. Candidates for the 2025 Butkus Award represent 39 colleges and universities nationwide. Kwiatkowski was the only Mid-American Conference player named to the list.
Award semifinalists will be named on November 4, finalists will be announced on November 25, and the winner will be revealed by December 10.
Kwiatkowski is a consensus preseason All-MAC first team selection by Athlon, Lindy's, and Phil Steele. He was listed as the No. 40 ranked draft eligible inside linebacker by Lindy's Magazine.
In 2024, Kwiatkowski earned Second Team All-MAC honors after leading Central Michigan in tackles (96), solo tackles (48), tackles for loss (14.5-30 yards), along with one interception, one pass breakup, and a quarterback hurry. The Sterling Heights, Mich. native ranked No. 46 in the nation in total tackles (8.0 per game), No. 8 in the MAC in tackles (8.0 per game), and No. 3 in tackles for loss (1.17 per game). He also registered 10 or more tackles in four games and led CMU in tackles in five contests.
In his three-year career at Central Michigan Kwiatkowski has played in 34 games, has made a total of 138 total tackles (69 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss for 31 yards, one interception, four pass breakups and a blocked kick. He has totaled 10 or more tackles in six career games.
2025 CENTRAL MICHIGAN'S PRESEASON FOOTBALL HONORS
NATIONAL HONORS/WATCH LIST
Butkus Award Watch List: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
AFCA Good Works Team nominee: Michael Heldman, DL
Wuerffel Trophy nominee: Michael Heldman, DL
ATHLON MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Michael Heldman, DL; Dakota Cochran, LB; Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Second Team: Brady Ploucha, OL
Third Team: Tyson Davis, WR; Kade Kostus, DL; Caleb Spann, DB
Fourth Team: Trey Cornist, RB; Elijah Rikard, DB
LINDY'S MAGAZINE PRESASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Second Team: Dakota Cochran, LB
No. 40 Draft Eligible ILB: Jordan Kwiatkowski
PHIL STEELE MAGAZINE PRESEASON ALL-MAC
First Team: Jordan Kwiatkowski, LB
Second Team: Dakota Cochran, LB; Ben Pratt, LS
Third Team: Kade Kostus, DL; Michael Heldman, DL
Fourth Team: DeCorion Temple, TE; Brady Ploucha, OL; Fernando Sanchez III, LB; Caleb Spann, DB
—CMU—
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