Bissainthe Tabbed as Butkus Candidate

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami senior linebacker Wesley Bissainthe was named to the Butkus Award Preseason Watch List, the Butkus Foundation announced Wednesday afternoon.

Bissainthe is among 51 players nationally selected to the watch list for the prestigious honor, which recognizes the nation’s top linebacker. The Miami native was one of eight ACC linebackers selected.

A three-year fixture at Miami, Bissainthe started all 13 games in 2025 and ranked second on the team with 59 total tackles, including 36 solo stops, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception.

Bissainthe becomes the fifth Hurricane named to a national preseason watch list, joining Rueben Bain (Bronko Nagurski Trophy), Anez Cooper and Francis Mauigoa (Outland Trophy), and Carson Beck (Maxwell Award).

The Butkus Award, named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, is presented annually to the nation’s best linebacker. Semifinalists for the award will be announced Nov. 4, with finalists revealed Nov. 25 and the winner unveiled by Dec. 10.

To stay up to date with the University of Miami football team during the 2025 season, be sure to follow @canesfootball on Instagram, X and Facebook.