Tag: Butkus Award

Danny Stutsman named All-American by Sports Illustrated

Danny Stutsman was once again named an All-American, this time by Sports Illustrated.

The postseason awards keep on coming for the Oklahoma Sooners and their star linebacker, [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag]. Stutsman is coming off a great season where he was in the thick of the [autotag]Butkus Award[/autotag] race for the nation’s best linebacker for much of the season.

He was ultimately not named a finalist for that award. Still, that doesn’t diminish the type of season he had. He finished with 99 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks on the season. He also had two forced fumbles and an interception.

Stusman led the Sooners in tackles having nearly 40 more tackles than the next highest player. He also finished with nearly 10 more tackles for loss than second place and finished with 1.5 sacks fewer than first place on the team. His two forced fumbles also led the team.

He was the leader of a defensive unit that was much improved this season. On Wednesday morning he was named a second-team All-American by CBS Sports/247 Sports and later on, it came out he was named a second-team All-American this time by Sports Illustrated.

As more All-American lists come out over the next few days, Stutsman is sure to be on most, if not all, of them. Putting his 2023 season up there as one of the best at the position in program history.

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Clemson 5-star commit honored as the nation’s top linebacker

Clemson commit Sammy Brown was high school football’s top linebacker.

Clemson five-star commit Sammy Brown received a tremendous honor as his high school has announced that Brown was named the 2023 high school Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker.

It was an excellent season for Brown, who recorded 153 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and two interceptions. Brown wasn’t only a dominant linebacker; he ran for 2,289 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns. He is a threat on both offense and defense for his team.

According to 247Sports rankings, Brown is currently the No.2 linebacker in the country and the No.12 overall player in the 2024 class. He will be an early enrollee, joining the Tigers as soon as possible.

A great honor for one of the country’s best, Brown is a player fans should be excited for.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. named a 2023 Butkus Award finalist

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is one of five finalists for the Butkus Award.

CLEMSON, S.C. — The Butkus Foundation announced today that Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been named as a finalist for the 2023 Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker. Trotter is one of five finalists, alongside Missouri’s Ty’Ron Hopper, Washington’s Edefuan Ulofoshio, Mississippi State’s Nathaniel Watson and NC State’s Payton Wilson.

Trotter joins Isaiah Simmons (2019), Tre Lamar (2018), Dorian O’Daniel (2017), Keith Adams (2000) and Levon Kirkland (1990) as one of six Butkus finalists in school history. If Trotter were to win the award, he would become the second player in school history to collect the honor, joining Simmons’ victory from 2019.

“He is the epitome of consistency and preparation,” Head Coach Dabo Swinney said recently of Trotter. “That guy is a worker. He loves to study the game. He studies the nuances of it. He has great anticipation in what he does, block recognition. He’s a quarterback out there that’s playing at a high level… Certainly he’s talented and he’s got all the attributes, but there’s a lot of guys that are really talented that don’t play the game like he does, and that’s because of all of the other stuff you don’t see as far as how this kid prepares.”

Trotter has started all 11 games for Clemson this season and has started each of Clemson’s last 25 games dating to the start of the 2022 season. This year, Clemson’s coaches have credited him with a team-high 82 tackles in addition to leading the Tigers in tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (5.5). He is also tied for the team lead in forced fumbles (two) and interceptions (two, including one returned for a touchdown), and his six pass breakups rank third. He is the only FBS player in America to have recorded at least 14 tackles for loss, at least five sacks, multiple interceptions, multiple forced fumbles and a pick-six this season.

Trotter, a second-team All-America selection by the Associated Press a season ago, leads Clemson’s 10th-ranked total defense and is the only finalist who has led a defense that ranks in the top 20 nationally in yards per game. Trotter and his teammates also presently rank fifth in the nation in first downs allowed per game (14.6) and eighth in yards allowed per play (4.60).

“He’s certainly got natural instincts and a high football IQ, but he puts the work in,” Swinney said. “He’s like a Christian Wilkins at linebacker. He puts that type of work and preparation in, and it’s fun to see him get the results. Great leader — he sets the tone.”

In addition to being a Butkus Award finalist, Trotter is a Bednarik Award semifinalist and a prime candidate for All-America and All-ACC honors.

-Via Clemson Athletic Communications 

‘Has a chance to be as good as we’ve ever had’: Venables reacts to Stutsman’s Butkus snub

Danny Stutsman was snubbed this week from being a Butkus Award semifinalist.

One of the high notes from the 2023 season has been the progression of linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag]. Stutsman has 73 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and one interception.

For much of the season, he wasn’t just playing at an All-American type of level, he was playing at a [autotag]Butkus Award[/autotag] winner level. But he’s missed the last game and a half due to injury, and it’s unsure if he’ll play this weekend, although he is practicing.

This week 12 players were named semifinalists for the prestigious award. Stutsman was not one of them.

Brent Venables was asked about his star linebacker not making the list. “I didn’t know that,” Venables said. “I don’t spend a lot of time. Danny’s worked really hard. He’s an excellent player. One of the best players on our football team. He’s deserved all of the recognition that he’s gotten. He’s earned it all. His best football is still ahead of him. I don’t really have any kind of comment on a list that he’s left off of. He’s a fantastic linebacker and has a chance to be as good as we’ve ever had.”

Stutsman has more tackles for loss on the year than any of the semifinalists and has more tackles than seven of the 12. He’s also helped a defense drastically improve from a season ago.

But if the team needed any more motivation, maybe this is it.

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Curtis Jacobs named Butkus Award semifinalist

Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs is one of 12 semifinalists for this national linebacker award.

Penn State linebacker [autotag]Curtis Jacobs[/autotag] is one of 12 semifinalists for this season’s Collegiate Butkus Award, honoring the top linebacker in college football. The Butkus Award released its list of semifinalists on Monday.

Through 9 games this season, Jacobs has 36 total tackles, 25 solo tackles, 5 tackles for a loss and 1 sack. His 36 total tackles leads the team, with two more than fellow star linebacker [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag]. Jacobs always seems to be around the football and is one of the most consistent players on what has been a tremendous defense for the Nittany Lions all year.

Jacobs is now looking to become the third player in Penn State history to win the Butkus Award. The only two players to previously win the award while wearing a Penn State uniform are [autotag]LaVar Arrington[/autotag] in 1999 and [autotag]Paul Posluszny[/autotag] in 2005.

Last year’s Butkus Award winner was Jack Campbell of Iowa, who is also the most recent Big Ten player to take home the award.

Here is the full list of semifinalists for this year’s Butkus Award.

2023 Collegiate Butkus Award Semifinalists

The winner of this year’s award will be named on or before Dec. 7.

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Clemson linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been named a Butkus Award semifinalist

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is being recognized as a Butkus Award semifinalist.

The Butkus Foundation announced today that linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. has been named as one of 12 semifinalists for the 2023 Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

More information from The Butkus Foundation is included below.

2023 BUTKUS AWARD® SEMIFINALISTS UNVEILED
Butkus Foundation lauds 12 linebackers at each level as contenders for 2023 awards

CHICAGO – The Butkus Foundation has named 12 of the nation’s best collegiate and high school linebackers as Butkus Award® semifinalists for the 2023 season.

The collegiate semifinalists come from 12 different schools representing five conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC) and the FBS independents. There is one repeat semifinalist from a season ago, Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenberg. Nine different states are represented among the 12 high school semifinalists, with Virginia leading the way with three and Texas having a pair of semifinalists. The winner of each award will be named on or before Dec. 7.

The 2023 Butkus Award winners will be honored at a gala event on Jan. 27, 2024, at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The event will honor the legacy of namesake Dick Butkus and be supported by numerous noted NFL Alumni. Ticket and sponsorship information is available by contacting the Butkus Foundation.

Following are the semifinalist selections:

2023 Collegiate Butkus Award Semifinalists
Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
Jaylan Ford, Texas
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Jay Higgins, Iowa
Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri
Curtis Jacobs, Penn State
Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
Payton Wilson, NC State

2023 High School Butkus Award Semifinalists
Sammy Brown, Jefferson, Ga.
Aaron Chiles, Olney, Md.
Chris Cole, Salem, Va.
Cayden Jones, Arden, N.C.
Kris Jones, Fairfax, Va.
Payton Pierce, Allen, Texas
Brayden Platt, Yelm, Wash.
Demarcus Riddick, Clanton, Ala.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Bellflower, Calif.
Derek Weisskopf, Williamsburg, Iowa
Justin Williams, Conroe, Texas
Bodie Kahoun, Roanoke, Va.

Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. Causes include Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative encouraging early cardiovascular screening among adults, and the I Play Clean® initiative encouraging athletes to train naturally without performance-enhancing drugs. A 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process. The Butkus Foundation has presented the high school and professional awards since 2008. The collegiate award is now in its 39th season.

The Butkus Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.

-Via Clemon Athletic Communications 

Danny Stutsman named to Pro Football Focus’ midseason all-prospect team

The midseason accolades keep on coming for the Sooners, this time for Danny Stutsman.

The Oklahoma Sooners are off to an incredible start to the 2023 college football season on both sides of the ball. The biggest jump has been on defense

The Sooners ranked No. 122 last season, and this year, they’ve moved up to No. 50. A big part of that has been the jump [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag] has made.

Stutsman has 58 tackles, 10.5 for loss, two sacks, and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Stutsman’s 58 tackles rank No. 16 in the nation. His 10.5 tackles for loss rank No. 5 in the nation. He leads the Big 12 in tackles and tackles for loss.

His performance this year has him square in the race for the [autotag]Butkus Award[/autotag] given to the nation’s top linebacker and also has him in the running for a consensus All-American selection.

[autotag]Pro Football Focus[/autotag] put together their midseason all-prospect team and Stutsman was one of two linebackers selected to the squad.

It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a player on the defensive side of the ball play at the level he’s been playing at this season. It’s attributed to the work Stutsman has put in and the coaching job of [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]. Stutsman has transformed into one of the best leaders on the team.

But we are just halfway through the season, and you don’t get any awards for performing well up to this point. Something tells me Stutsman isn’t someone who will rest on his laurels the rest of the way.

With the way he’s playing, he’s on track to be a top-100 prospect in the 2024 NFL draft. The hope is he’ll hang around for one more season in Norman as the Sooners make their transition to the SEC. His toughness, physicality, leadership and performance will be difficult to replace.

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Danny Stutsman among 247Sports breakout stars in 2023

Danny Stutsman continues to put together a great season and his work isn’t going unnoticed.

The Oklahoma Sooners defense has been the talk of the town in the 2023 season. The defense currently ranks No. 2 in the nation in scoring and has allowed its fewest total points in three decades.

The head of that has been linebacker [autotag]Danny Stutsman[/autotag]. Stutsman ranks 11th in the nation in total tackles and 5th in tackles for loss.

There’s no question he’s playing at an [autotag]All-American[/autotag] and [autotag]Butkus Award[/autotag] type of level. The season he’s put in so far isn’t going unnoticed nationally, either.

Stutsman’s season has earned him a spot on 247Sports’ list of breakout stars.

Last season, Oklahoma ranked 94th nationally last season in rushing yards allowed per play. This year, the Sooners are allowing 2.69 yards per attempt, which ranks 15th nationally. There are a lot of people you could credit with that jump, but the spark has been Danny Stutsman. The MIKE linebacker has totaled 43 tackles, 8 TFLs, 2 sacks and an interception in just four games. His PFF run grade ranks fourth nationally among all linebackers, and his 20 “stops” rank among the top 10. Stutsman had great numbers last season – a Big 12-best 125 tackles – but he, like the rest of the Sooners defense, struggled with missed tackles and had issues against the run. That’s completely turned around in 2023. Stutsman is better against the pass, too. Right now, Stutsman is the centerpiece of one of the best defensive turnarounds in college football and is the best ‘backer Oklahoma’s had in several years. – Chris Hummer 247Sports

It’s still early in the season, so we’ll see if he and the defense can continue to play at this high of a level. But if Stutsman continues to play the way he’s been, he’s definitely going to be a household name nationally by the end of the year.

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Linebacker U lands two players on Butkus Award watch list for 2023

Penn State’s top two linebackers are on the watch list for the Butkus Award in 2023.

Penn State’s long line of linebackers is well-documented at this point, and this year the Nittany Lions hope to add a Butkus Award winner to the program’s lineage. The watch list for the Butkus Award, which honors the nation’s top linebacker in college football, was released this week and a pair of Penn State’s top linebackers were named to the watch list.

Sophomore [autotag]Abdul Carter[/autotag] and junior [autotag]Curtis Jacobs[/autotag] were each name don the watch list for the Butkus Award in 2023. Their inclusion should be no shocker given that Carter has already asserted himself as one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten and Jacobs is a sturdy veteran capable of coming up with some big moments in the Penn State defense.

Carter started six games and played in all 13 games for Penn State in 2022. He earned All-Big Ten second-team honors and was a freshman All-American for the FWAA. He led Penn State with 10.5 tackles for loss last season and he finished fourth in the Big Ten with 6.5 sacks last season.

Carter has also appeared on the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

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Jacobs has started in 23 of the 32 games he has played at Penn State so far and he is coming off a 2022 season where he received honorable All-Big Ten mentions from the coaches and media. Last season, Jacobs had 52 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss with four sacks. He also had two fumble recoveries and an interception returned for a touchdown.

Penn State has two all-time Butkus Award winners in school history. LaVar Arrington won the award in 1999 and Paul Posluszny won the award in 2005.

Last year’s winner of the Butkus Award was Jack Campbell of Iowa.

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Pair of Ohio State linebackers make Butkus preseason watch list

You have to think Tommy Eichenberg has a good shot at this one. #GoBucks

One of the most prestigious college football awards is the Butkus Award, presented annually to the best linebacker in the country. Ohio State has had two players honored by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando since the award’s inception in 1985, and it has a chance at adding to that in 2023.

Andy Katzenmoyer won the Butkus in 1997, and then James Laurinaitis added the award to his very full trophy case for his exploits on the field in 2007.

This year, Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers will be looking to make it a third Buckeye after they both appeared on the Butkus preseason watch list on Thursday.

We’ll continue to keep you up to speed on the Buckeyes that make all of the preseason college football award watch lists as they are made available.

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