Update July 17, 2012 1:19 p.m.

Earlier this morning, linebackers A.J. Klein and Jake Knott were selected to the Lombardi Award watch list.

The Lombardi Award goes to the best linebacker or lineman that most resembles the former NFL coach Vince Lombardi.

This is Klein and Knott’s fourth list they have been added to this preseason

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It may only be July, but Cyclone football has already made its way into the national spotlight.

Most recently, the linebacker duo of Jake Knott and A.J. Klein have been nominated to the Butkus Award watch list. The Butkus Award is awarded to the best linebacker in college football at the end of the season.

Earlier in the summer, Knott and Klein were named to the Bednarik and Nagurski Award watch lists as well. Both awards are given to highly recognized defensive players.

Knott was named to the first-team All-American list last season and Klein received Co-Defender of the Year as well. 

On the special teams side of the ball, punter Kirby Van Der Kamp was named to the Ray Guy Award watch list during the preseason. The award features the best punter in college football each year.

Individual awards are revealed at the end of each regular season.