Aug. 18, 2008

OAK PARK, Calif. -- Baylor junior linebacker Joe Pawelek has been named to the 2008 Butkus Award Watch List, the Butkus Foundation recently announced. The Butkus Award is given annually to the nation's top collegiate linebacker. Pawelek, a 2006 Freshman All-American, is one of 66 student-athletes on the initial watch list, including 2007 winner James Laurinaitis.

A product of Smithson Valley High School in Spring Branch, Texas, Pawelek has been among Baylor's leaders in tackles each of the past two seasons. He led the Bears with 86 stops as a freshman in 2006 and was second on the team with 99 tackles last year. A 2007 All-Big 12 Conference selection, Pawelek tallied eight tackles for loss, including two sacks, forced three fumbles, recovered two fumbles and had one interception last season.

Pawelek is one of only four linebackers from the Big 12 on the Butkus Award Watch List, joining Joe Mortensen of Kansas, Ryan Reynolds of Oklahoma and Sean Witherspoon of Missouri.

Baylor opens its 2008 season Thursday, Aug. 28, hosting 23rd-ranked Wake Forest at Floyd Casey Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT, and the game will be televised nationally on FSN.