DeAndre Square is a semifinalist for the Butkus Award

One of the leaders of Kentucky’s defense is getting some much-deserved recognition. Super senior DeAndre Square is one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker since 1985. The award is named for legendary Dick Butkus and recognizes linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form.

In his fifth and final season at Kentucky, Square has played in 57 career games with 43 straight starting assignments. Prior to the season, he was voted a team captain for the third consecutive season, joining Joshua Paschal as the only other three-time captain in school history. This season, Square leads the team in tackles 55, which is 18 more than the next Wildcat on the list, Jordan Wright. He also has 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, and an interception.

In his career, Square has 299 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hurries, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three interceptions, and one fumble recovery. He needs just one more tackle to become the 20^th member of Kentucky’s 300-tackle club. Unfortunately, he probably won’t reach that milestone this weekend. Square suffered a leg injury in Kentucky’s loss at then-No. 3 Tennessee on Saturday and is “doubtful” for this week’s game at Missouri. Get well soon, captain.

2022 Collegiate Butkus Award Semifinalists

• *Jack Campbell, Iowa
• SirVocea Dennis, Pitt
• Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia
• Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
• Dayian Henley, Washington State
• Mikel Jones, Syracuse
• Jackson Mitchell, UConn
• *DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
• Ivan Pace, Cincinnati
• Owen Pappoe, Auburn
• Drew Sanders, Arkansas
• *Noah Sewell, Oregon
• Trenton Simpson, Clemson
• DeAndre Square, Kentucky
• Henry To’o To’o, Alabama

*denotes repeat selection

Finalists for the Butkus Award will be named on November 21 and the winner will be announced on or before December 7. The 2022 Butkus Award winners will be honored at a televised event on Jan. 21, 2023, at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif.