Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean has won the 2021 Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best collegiate linebacker.
Dean is Georgia’s second winner of the award. Roquan Smith won it in 2017.
Dean has had a stellar season leading the Dawgs’ defense, which until Saturday vs. Alabama was regarded as arguably the best defense in college football history.
Through 13 games this season Dean has tallied 61 total tackles which is tied for first on the team with Channing Tindall. He has five sacks, one forced fumble and two interceptions.
“(Dean) is the commander in chief of making our calls,” Kirby Smart said earlier this season. “He’s very physical. He keys things really well, a very instinctive football player as Roquan (Smith) was as well.”
In addition to Smith and Dean, Georgia has had four other finalists in recent history, including Monty Rice (2020), Leonard Floyd (2015), Jarvis Jones (2011, 2012) and Justin Houston (2010).