2012 Lombardi Award Watchlist: Rutgers' Khaseem Greene, Syracuse's Justin Pugh Makes List

A few hours after being named to the 2012 Butkus Award Watchlist, Rutgers Scarlet Knights' junior linebacker Khaseem Greene made the grade to be a part of the Lombardi Award Watchlist. The award is presented to college football's best linebacker or linemen.

Last season, Greene earned the Big East Conference's Co-Defensive Player of the Year Award after collecting 140 tackles, including 3.5 sacks. However, Greene had his season end on a sour note when he broke his ankle in the Pinstripe Bowl. Greene is making progress in his rehab and is expected to be fully recovered for the 2012 season.

Also named to the watch list was Syracuse offensive linemen Justin Pugh, who's quickly becoming a household name when it comes to NFL Draft scouts. Pugh is also entering his junior season and is expected to be the anchor of the Orange's front-five.

For more on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights footballl team, be sure to check out our blog On The Banks and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and notes. For everything Syracuse Orange related, check out Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician.

2012 Butkus Award Watch: Rutgers' Khaseem Greene, Steve Beauharnais On Preseason List

Two Scarlet Knights are honored with a spot on the 2012 Butkus Award Watch List in Khaseem Greene and Steve Beauharnais.

Rutgers DB Logan Ryan On 2012 Thorpe Award Watch List

Rutgers Scarlet Knights junior defensive back Logan Ryan has been named to the 2012 Thorpe Award Watch List.

Logan was one of 35 defensive backs across the country to be placed on the list released by the Jim Thorpe Association on Friday. Logan is joined by two other Big East foes on the list, safety Jarred Holley (Pittsburgh) and safety Hakeem Smith (Louisville). The Thorpe Award is handed out annually to the top defensive back in college football. The winner will be named on Dec. 6. Ryan also was named to the watch list for the Bednarik Award which goes to the country's top defensive player.

Last season, Ryan was third on the team in tackles with 67 (5.5 for loss) and led the team with 14 pass breakups. He also had two forced fumbles and three interceptions, one of which was a pick six. Logan was named to the second-team All-Big East team in 2011.

For more on Rutgers, please be sure to visit our blog On The Banks and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Rutgers LB Khaseem Greene On Preseason Nagurski Award Watch List

Preseason watch lists for college football awards continue to roll out this week. On Thursday, a gaggle of players on the early lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy were announced. Once again, Rutgers linebacker Khaseem Greene made the cut.

The Nagurski Trophy recognizes the top defensive player in college football, one of several awards in that category. Greene was one of several dozen names on that list. No player from Rutgers made the Outland Trophy watch list, which is given the country's best offensive lineman.

Greene is a fifth-year senior this year. Though he has been practicing this spring, he has been held out of contact as he recovers from offseason surgery to repair a broken leg.

Greene was named the Big East co-Defensive Player of the Year last year, and could be in for a very big final year with the Scarlet Knights.

For more on Rutgers, please be sure to visit our blog On The Banks and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Rutgers' Khaseem Greene and Logan Ryan On Preseason Bednarik List

Rutgers' LB Khaseem Greene and CB Logan Ryan made the 2012 preseason Bednarik Award watch list.

Rutgers Football Schedule 2012: Big East Releases Schedule

The Big East Conference and Rutgers Scarlet Knights released the 2012 Rutgers football schedule on Tuesday.

Rutgers begins its non-conference slate on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Tulane, and hosts Howard in its home opener the following weekend on Saturday, Sept. 8.

The Scarlet Knights begin their Big East Conference schedule on Saturday, Sept. 15 against the South Florida Bulls, before meeting Arkansas on Saturday, Sept. 15.

The entire 2012 Rutgers football schedule follows:

Sat., Sept. 1: at Tulane

Sat., Sept. 8: Howard

Sat., Sept. 15: at USF (date subject to change)

Sat., Sept. 22: at Arkansas

Sat., Oct. 6: CONNECTICUT

Sat., Oct. 13: SYRACUSE

Sat., Oct. 20: at TEMPLE

Sat., Oct. 27: Kent State

Sat., Nov. 10: Army

Sat., Nov. 17: at CINCINNATI

Sat., Nov. 24: at PITTSBURGH

Thu., Nov. 29: LOUISVILLE (7:30 p.m., ESPN)

For more coverage of Rutgers football, visit our team page or our blog On The Banks.

Rutgers Football Schedules Home-And-Home Series With Arkansas Starting In 2012

Rutgers will play at Arkansas in 2012 and host the Razorbacks in 2013.