Tag: Butkus Award

Notre Dame releases hype video for College Football Playoff game

Get yourself excited by watching this.

The first-round College Football Playoff game between Notre Dame and Indiana will be unlike anything Notre Dame Stadium has ever seen. For the first time officially, the Irish will be playing for their season, and it will be happening in December. That means a cold setting for football, but one that the sellout crowd is expected to fully embrace.

To that end, the Irish have released a hype video for the game narrated by 2015 Butkus Award winner and former linebacker [autotag]Jaylon Smith[/autotag]. It really leans into the idea that snow could fall during the game, but the crowd will make a lot of noise regardless.

As of this writing, the AccuWeather forecast calls for clouds with possible snow showers during the game. It also specifically says the weather will be “seasonably chilly for the playoff game”. You know a game is big when even an official weather forecast is mentioning it:

Regardless of whether it snows, it’s advisable to bundle up. More importantly though, the Irish need to hear their fans’ support in this high-stakes contest.

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Georgia LB Jalon Walker wins Butkus Award

UGA’s Jalon Walker earns 2024 Butkus Award, which is given annually to college football’s top linebacker

Georgia football linebacker Jalon Walker has won the 2024 Butkus Award for nation’s best linebacker over Clemson’s Barrett Carter, Ole Miss’ Chris Paul Jr., UCLA’s Carson Scwesinger and Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman.

Walker was a standout performer for the Bulldogs’ defense this season. Across 13 games, he recorded 57 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks, all career highs. He demonstrated his versatility by excelling as both a linebacker in coverage and a pass rusher. A true Swiss Army knife player, Walker delivered clutch performances throughout the year, putting together a memorable and impressive season for the Dawgs.

He is Georgia’s third Butkus Award winner in the Kirby Smart era when Roquan Smith won in 2017, Nakobe Dean in 2022, and now Walker in 2024.

Georgia has made a name for themselves at getting and developing quality at the linebacker position. Walker is a prime example of that case for the Bulldogs. With nine draftees at the linebacker position Walker is primed to be Kirby Smart’s 10th linebacker drafted since his arrival in 2016.

Despite winning the award for the nation’s best linebacker, Walker did not make the All-SEC first-team as a linebacker.

Clemson linebacker named Butkus Award finalist

Barrett Carter is one of five finalists for the 2024 Butkus Award.

The Butkus Foundation on Monday announced five finalists for the 2024 Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s best linebacker.

Clemson football’s Barrett Carter was named a finalist, joining Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman, Chris Paul Jr. from the Ole Miss Rebels, the Georgia Bulldogs’ Jalon Walker, and UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger. The winner will be named by Dec. 10.

The following is a press release from Clemson Athletic Communications:

“The Butkus Foundation announced today that Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter has been named as one of five finalists for this year’s Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

“Carter becomes the seventh Butkus Award finalist in school history, joining Levon Kirkland (1990), Keith Adams (2000), Dorian O’Daniel (2017), Tre Lamar (2018, Isaiah Simmons (2019) and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (2023). Simmons became the first Butkus Award winner in school history when he collected the honor in 2019.

“This season, Clemson’s coaching staff has credited Carter with 63 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and seven pass breakups. Now in his fourth season in the program, Carter has played in 49 career games with 37 starts for the Tigers, helping Clemson extend its streak of consecutive nine-win seasons to 14 years, tied for the third-longest streak in major college football history. Carter has been a vocal leader of a Clemson senior class that this week will seek its 40th win in the last four years to become the 11th consecutive Clemson senior class to average 10 or more wins per season in their four-year careers.”

2024 Collegiate Finalists

Barrett Carter, Clemson
Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi
Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
Jalon Walker, Georgia

—via Clemson Athletic Communications

Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman named Butkus Finalist

Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman was named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award.

The Oklahoma Sooners earned a legendary upset win over the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday night behind a strong defensive performance. Leading the charge for the Oklahoma defense this year has been senior linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag].

He’s been an important voice on and off the field for the Sooners and has been the face of the defensive turnaround in Norman.

For his efforts in 2024, Stutsman has been named a Butkus Award Finalist. The award is given to the best linebacker in the nation.

Stutsman was named alongside Barrett Carter of Clemson, Chris Paul Jr. of Ole Miss, Carson Schwesinger of UCLA, and Jalon Walker of Georgia.

Stutsman and Carter both spent time with Brent Venables as their defensive coordinator.

On the year, Stutsman has 100 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and a sack. It’s the third season in a row in which he’s registered 100 tackles for the Sooners.

The Sooners defense ranks 23rd in the nation in scoring at 20.2 points per game and 16th in total yards per game. And Stutsman’s been at the heart of it.

Oklahoma has had three players win the award. [autotag]Brian Bosworth[/autotag] won back-to-back awards in 1985 and 1986. [autotag]Rocky Calmus[/autotag] won it in 2001 and [autotag]Teddy Lehman[/autotag] in 2003. Each of Oklahoma’s past winners were instrumental to the OU’s defensive success, just as Stutsman has been.

Stutsman has one more game to cement his legacy with the Sooners as OU gets ready to go on the road to play LSU in Baton Rouge. It will be the first time the Sooners have made the trip to Death Valley, but Stutsman and the defense has risen to the occasion all season long.

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Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman named semifinalist for Butkus Award

Oklahoma Sooners linebaker Danny Stutsman named Butkus Award semifinalist.

The Oklahoma Sooners defense has been a bright spot in 2024. Despite their 5-4 season the defense has taken another step in its development. That’s due in large part to the return and the performance of senior linebacker Danny Stutsman.

Stutsman was just named a semifinalist for the prestigious Butkus Award, given to the nation’s best linebackers. He was one of 15 semifinalists, which includes Alabama standouts Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson, Shaun Dolac of Buffalo, Clamson’s Barrett Carter, Jalon Walker of Georgia, Indiana’s Aiden Fisher, Jay Higgins of Iowa, Chandler Martin of Memphis, Chris Paul Jr. of Ole Miss, N.C. State’s Sean Brown, Ohio State’s Sonny Style, Texas’ Anthony Hill Jr., Carson Schwesinger or UCLA, and Shae Suiaunoa of Wyoming.

Stutsman’s had a strong year for the Sooners. He’s third in the SEC in total tackles through nine games with 77 and has eight tackles for loss and a sack on the season.

His leadership on and off the field has been instrumental in the Sooners’ growth on defense. Stutsman’s been a cornerstone piece for the Sooners in his time with the Sooners. With three games remaining has a chance to cement himself as one of the best defenders in college football.

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LSU’s Harold Perkins Jr. named to Butkus Award preseason watch list

Harold Perkins Jr. enters his junior season with quite a bit of hype once again.

The [autotag]Butkus Award[/autotag] is given each year to the best linebacker in the country. [autotag]Harold Perkins Jr.[/autotag] has been recognized as a player on the preseason watch list for the award.

Perkins is entering his junior season on the Bayou. During his freshman season, he became one of the most feared pass rushers in the country. He was recognized as a Freshman All-American for his efforts that season.

Last year, his production ticked down a bit as he played in 13 games and finished with 75 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and one interception.

Under the leadership of a new defensive coordinator, [autotag]Blake Baker[/autotag], Perkins is set for a breakout season. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being the best linebacker in the country this fall and he plays his way into being a first-round draft pick in the next NFL draft. Baker will put him in a position to be successful.

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‘Farm Boy’ Jack Kiser ready to rock for final Irish season

Just a ‘farm boy’ playing ball for the Irish

Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker [autotag]Jack Kiser[/autotag] may be just a farm boy, but he’s also a key part of a defense that is expected to put the Irish on a playoff path this season.

He’s also on the watch list for the Butkus Award.

Not bad from a guy from the small town of Royal Center, Indiana.

“I’m proud to say I’m from a small town, a small school— a farm boy to be able to come here & contribute but also perform at such a high level,” Kiser said in an interview.

Kiser was a triple-option QB before transitioning to LB and bulking up. He says he’s worked hard to improve his football intelligence and film-study habits as he’s grown as a football player and person.

The senior also said that since this is his final training camp, he has a new energy going in.

Kiser also earned praise from fellow linebackers Drayk Bowen and Jaiden Ausberry and linebackers coach Max Bullough.

You can watch the whole thing below.

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Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser on the Butkus Award watch list

Could Kiser break the Irish’s drought and win the Butkus this fall?

Notre Dame linebacker [autotag]Jack Kiser[/autotag] has been placed on a watch list.

No, not that kind of watch list — this one’s a good one. Kiser is on the preseason watch list for the [autotag]Butkus Award[/autotag], which is given out each year to the nation’s best linebackers at the high school, college and professional levels.

This means that Kiser, a graduate senior entering his sixth season, is a strong bet to win the award, which is named after the late Dick Butkus. Butkus, who starred at Illinois and later with the Chicago Bears in the NFL, is considered to be one of the best linebackers of all-time.

At the very least, Kiser should be in strong consideration for the award, barring injury.

He had 62 total tackles, one-and-a-half sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception in 2023. Forty-one of those tackles were solo.

Kiser also returned two interceptions for touchdowns in 2021.

Kiser figures to be a key part of the Irish defense is 2024, and if he’s ultimately the award winner, that should mean that Notre Dame’s defense did big things.

Such as perhaps working towards to a College Football Playoff push.

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Penn State’s top linebacker makes Butkus Award Watch List

Penn State’s top linebacker makes Butkus Award watch list for best at his position

The Penn State Nittany Lions, recently named the No. 9 team in the country, have plenty of star players, especially on defense.

On Tuesday, the leader of Penn State’s defense lineback, [autotag]Kobe King[/autotag], was named to the Butkus Award Watch List. The award is in its 40th year and is presented to the top linebacker in the country.

The Detroit native earned All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2023 and has appeared in 30 career games including 11 starts. King is set up for another jump-up in production in 2024. Last season, King tallied 59 tackles to go along with six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and one hurry. Pro Football Focus graded King as the Big Ten’s best-run defender at the linebacker position last year.

The 51 linebackers named to the watch list, a nod to Butkus’s 51 jersey, will be trimmed to a semifinalist list on November 4. The finalist for the Butkus Award will be named on November 25, and the winner will be named on December 10.

Check out all the other Penn State players named to preseason watch lists in our award tracker.

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Alabama linebacker duo named to 2024 Butkus Award watch list

Alabama’s inside linebacker duo will be among college football’s best in 2024.

One of the top inside linebacker duos in all of college football, both Alabama Crimson Tide starters at the position – Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell – were named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award on Tuesday.

The Butkus Award, which Alabama has won four times before, recognizes the top linebacker annually in college football.

Lawson is entering his fourth season in Tuscaloosa this fall, as well as his third as a starting inside linebacker. The redshirt junior has a combined stat line of 118 tackles, eight TFL, and three sacks across that span, and is coming off a career-high 67 tackles with 5.5 TFL, and three sacks a year ago.

Campbell, a junior, is also coming off a career-year in which he emerged alongside Lawson as a starter. After making only one tackle as a freshman, Campbell had 66 tackles, four TFL, 0.5 sacks, one INT, and two FR a year ago.

Previous Alabama players to win the Butkus Award were Derrick Thomas (1988), Rolando McClain (2009), C.J. Mosley (2013), and Reuben Foster (2016).