WSU linebacker named to Butkus Award watch list
HERALD SPORTS STAFF | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years, 11 months AGO
CHICAGO — Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley was one of 51 players named to the 2022 Butkus Award watch list on Monday, annually presented to the best linebacker in the nation.
The Los Angeles native transferred to WSU after spending the previous five seasons with Nevada, where he played receiver to begin his career. In the 2021 season, Henley recorded a team-high 103 tackles, four interceptions - one going for a touchdown - and three fumble recoveries.
Henley is the first Cougar to be named to the list since Jahad Woods was named prior to the 2020 season.
The award is named after former Chicago Bear linebacker and NFL Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, with the 51 players selected to the watch list commemorating his No. 51 he wore on his jersey, according to a release.
More specifically, players who are honored are those who play off the ball and in a two-point stance - not pass rushers who line up at the line of scrimmage.
The semifinalists for the 2022 Butkus award are expected to be announced on October 31, with finalists announced on November 21. The award winner will be named on or before December 7.
MORE FRONT-PAGE-SLIDER STORIES

Daiyan Henley named 2022 Butkus Award semifinalist
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 2 years, 8 months ago
ARTICLES BY HERALD SPORTS STAFF

Wildcats Ntekpere selected as GNAC female athlete of the year
PORTLAND, Ore. — Emy Ntekpere’s 2025 track and field season at Central Washington University was nothing short of spectacular, according to a statement by Central Washington Athletics. She broke records seemingly every time she competed, won three NCAA Division II national titles and on Thursday was announced as the 2024-25 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Female Athlete of the Year, according to the statement. She is the second woman and fourth student-athlete in school history to earn the top individual award from the conference and is the 12th women’s track and field athlete to receive the honor. Other CWU winners were LeAnne McGahuey (volleyball) in 2005-06, Mike Reilly (football) in 2008-09 and Johnny Spevak (football) in 2009-10

BASIN BOX SCORE: College commitment, NBA championships and Special Olympics
COLUMBIA BASIN – On this week's episode of the Basin Box Score, reporters Mike Maynard and Caleb Perez revisit the last week of sporting events in and out of the Basin. Mike Maynard touches on a local athlete announcing his commitment to a college and Seattle sport fans role in the NBA championship. Caleb Perez recaps the Dru Gimlin basketball tournament and the Special Olympics. Check out this weeks episode here: https://bit.ly/447U3IE
Special Olympics sendoff
MOSES LAKE – Special Olympic teams around the Columbia Basin sent their teams to the state competition in Tacoma Friday morning. Each team held a sendoff for their players as they anticipated their trip to State.