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Several Nittany Lions have found their names on watch lists for major individual awards heading into the 2018 season- now it’s outside linebacker Koa Farmer’s turn to be listed among the nation’s best at his position.
Farmer has been named to the watch list for the Butkus Award, which is given annually each December to the top linebacker in college football. The California native will be counted on to provide leadership as Penn State’s only starter set to return at linebacker. He finished the 2017 season with 48 tackles, one sack, 5.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. He also contributed as a kick returner, which included a 59-yard return against Ohio State.
Farmer, one of the fastest linebackers in the Big Ten, has also found success in the classroom. After completing degrees in criminology and sociology, he is now working towards a degree in journalism as a fifth-year senior.