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The second week of summer watch list season continued a run of accolades for Penn State players, with Mike Hull being named to the Butkus Award list. The award, of course, goes to the top linebacker in college football.
Hull of course suffered a knee injury early on in last season's opener versus Syracuse. If Saturday's Lift for Life performance is any indication, it appears the senior from Canonsburg is feeling good headed into fall camp, throwing up 30 reps on the bench press. That would tie him with former PSU linebacker Khari Fortt, and Michigan State's Max Bullough at this past spring's NFL Scouting Combine.
Despite missing 3 games a year ago, Hull still managed to record 77 tackles, but only a half sack, and no interceptions. For a player that relied on his speed and athleticism, the knee injury clearly held him back from being the play maker PSU fans saw his first two seasons.
A healthy Mike Hull will be a huge key to Bob Shoop's defense this fall, and if he returns to his freshman and sophomore year form, he may stay on this list well into the season.