Butkus Award reveals 16 semifinalists for annual distinction

The Butkus Award, instituted in 1985, revealed a list of its 16 semifinalists for the distinction on Monday. 2021 will mark the 37th annual Butkus Award ceremony, as the award is presented to the best linebackers at the high school and college level.

The most recent Butkus Award-winner was Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a Hampton, Virginia native that played his senior season in 2020. Despite an abbreviated season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Owusu-Koramoah in 12 games tallied 62 total tackles (42 solo stops), 11 tackles for a loss, one interception, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. His performance in 2020 was enough to win not just the top-linebacker award but also be named a unanimous All-American; plus, Notre Dame, competing in the ACC due to the pandemic, saw Owusu-Koramoah earn ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors, while being named to every national and conference end-of-year team.

In addition to Owusu-Koramoah, other notable Butkus Award winners include Isaiah Simmons at Clemson, Devin White at LSU, Roquan Smith at Georgia, C.J. Mosley at Alabama, Manti Te’o at Notre Dame and Von Miller at Texas A&M.

Included below is a list of the Butkus Award semifinalists, presented Monday, in no particular order. An asterisk denotes that a player is a returner on the semifinalist list.

2021 Butkus Award semifinalists

Christian Harris, Alabama*

Darien Butler, Arizona State

Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati

Nate Landman, Colorado*

Nakobe Dean, Georgia*

Jack Campbell, Iowa

Damone Clark, LSU

Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma

Malcolm Rodriquez, Oklahoma State

Noah Sewell, Oregon

Brandon Smith, Penn State

Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers*

DeMarvion Overshown, Texas

Devin Lloyd, Utah*

Leo Chenal, Wisconsin

Chad Muma, Wyoming

Given the current 16-person list of semifinalists for the Butkus Award, the Big Ten and Pac-12 are tied for the most candidates with four each. Next, the SEC and Big 12 are not far behind, as both conference boasts three Butkus Award semifinalists; two Group of Five conferences, the Mountain West and American Athletic Conference (AAC), have one candidate each.