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.