Each watch list contains 51 candidates, honoring the now-retired professional jersey number of Dick Butkus, who is regarded by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history.  The selection panel is comprised of 51 coaches, evaluators and journalists.  Players who do not appear on the watch list may be considered for the Award.

The Collegiate Butkus Award watch list includes 51 candidates from 37 universities.  C.J. Mosley of Alabama is the only returning finalist, along with returning semi-finalists Jonathan Brown of Illinois, Max Bullough of Michigan State and Trent Murphy of Stanford.

The High School Butkus Award watch list includes 51 candidates from 51 high schools across 15 states.  States with the most prep players include Texas (8), Florida (7), Alabama (6) and Ohio (6).

Semi-finalists will be named October 28, finalists November 26, and winners will be notified on or before December 10.  The Pro Butkus Award winner will be announced in January 2014.

2012 Butkus Award winners:

• Professional: Von Miller, Denver Broncos.
• Collegiate: Manti Te’o, Notre Dame, now San Diego Chargers.
• High School:  Jaylon Smith, Bishop Luers, Fort Wayne, Ind., now Notre Dame.

The Butkus Award was expanded in 2008 to honor linebackers at three levels while helping spread the word about Butkus’ I Play Clean initiative which encourages teens to eat well, train hard, and play with attitude instead of resorting to steroids and related drugs.  More information is available at www.iplayclean.org or at www.facebook.com/i.play.clean.

The Butkus Award, www.thebutkusaward.com or www.facebook.com/51.butkus, is presented by the Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. The Butkus Award is part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which includes the 21 most prestigious awards in college football with 678 years of selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org for more information.

Butkus Award® 2013 Collegiate Watch List

Adrian Hubbard Alabama
C.J. Mosley Alabama
Carl  Bradford Arizona State
Chris Young Arizona State
Bryce  Hager Baylor
Steele Divitto Boston College
Khalil Mack Buffalo
Spencer Hadley BYU
Uani Unga BYU
Kyle Van Noy BYU
Greg Blair Cincinnati
Derrick Webb Colorado
Yawin Smallwood Connecticut
Dorian Bell Duquesne
Derrell Johnson East Carolina
Christian Jones Florida State
Telvin Smith Florida State
Jordan Jenkins Georgia
Jerry Attaochu Georgia Tech
Brandon Watts Georgia Tech
Jonathan  Brown Illinois
Anthony Hitchens Iowa
Christian Kirksey Iowa
James Morris Iowa
Jeremiah George Iowa State
Avery Williamson Kentucky
Preston Brown Louisville
Lamin Barrow LSU
Max Bullough Michigan State
D.T. Shackelford Mississippi
Benardrick McKinney Mississippi State
Deontae Skinner Mississippi State
Carlo Calabrese Notre Dame
Dan Fox Notre Dame
Prince Shembo Notre Dame
Ryan Shazier Ohio State
Boseko Lokombo Oregon
Glenn Carson Penn State
Jamal Merrell Rutgers
Dede Lattimore South Florida
Cqulin Hubert Southeastern Louisiana
Trent  Murphy Stanford
Shane Skov Stanford
A.J. Johnson Tennessee
Anthony Barr UCLA
Eric Kendricks UCLA
Jordan Zumwalt UCLA
Hayes Pullard USC
Trevor Reilly Utah
Andrew    Jackson Western Kentucky
Chris  Borland Wisconsin

Butkus Award® 2013 High School Watch List

Deshaun  Davis Vigor Prichard AL
Rashaan Evans Auburn Auburn AL
Shaun Dion Hamilton Carver Montgomery AL
E.J.  Moss Ashville Ashville AL
T.J. Posey Gadsden Gadsden AL
Tre Williams St. Paul’s Mobile AL
D.J. Calhoun El Cerrito El Cerrito CA
Jamardre  Cobb Salesian Los Angeles CA
Chandler Leniu St. John Bosco Bellflower CA
Dwight  Williams Junipero Serra Gardena CA
Dillon Bates Ponte Vedra Ponte Vedra FL
Kain Daub Sandalwood Jacksonville FL
Vincent  Jackson Jesuit Tampa FL
Jacob  Pugh Godby Tallahassee FL
Delvin Purifoy Catholic Pensacola FL
Sharieff Rhaheed Fort Pierce Central Fort Pierce FL
Richard Yeargin University School Fort Lauderdale FL
Bryson Allen-Williams Cedar Grove Ellenwood GA
Demarquis Gates Lovejoy Hampton GA
Raekwon McMillan Liberty County Hinesville GA
Kevin Mouhon Norcross Norcross GA
Korie Rogers Buford Buford GA
Clifton Garrett Plainfield South Joliet IL
Nyles  Morgan Crete Monee Crete IL
Kyron Watson East St. Louis East St. Louis IL
Laurence Jones Monroe Neville LA
Kenny Young John Curtis River Ridge LA
Connor Strachan St. Sebastians Country Day Needham MA
Melvin Keihn Gilman School Baltimore MD
Deon  Drake Cass Tech Detroit MI
Kyle  Berger St. Ignatius Cleveland OH
Dante Booker St. Vincent-St. Mary Akron OH
Michael Ferns St. Clairsville St. Clairsville OH
Noah Furbush Kenton Kenton OH
Davonte James Springfield Springfield OH
Arius  Moore Beavercreek Beavercreek OH
Gyasi Akem Broken Arrow Broken Arrow OK
Kevin Crosby Bamberg Ehrhardt SC
Kendall Joseph Belton-Honea Path Honea Path SC
Christian Miller Spring Valley Columbia SC
Petera  Wilson White Station Memphis TN
Otaro  Alaka Cypress Falls Houston TX
James David Rockdale Rockdale TX
Cameron Hampton Carter Dallas TX
Josh  Mabin Klein Oak Spring TX
T’Kevian Rockwell Wylie Wylie TX
Hoza Scott La Porte La Porte TX
Josh  Walker Gilmer Gilmer TX
Zach  Whitley North Shore Galena Park TX
Greer Martini Woodberry Forest Woodberry Forest VA

Finalists for 2012 include (alphabetically):

Butkus Award Collegiate Finalists:

• Jarvis Jones, Georgia (Jr.)
• Dion Jordan, Oregon (Sr.)
• Kevin Minter, LSU (Jr.)
• C.J. Mosley, Alabama (Jr.)
• Manti Te’o, Notre Dame (Sr.)

Butkus Award High School Finalists:
Reuben Foster, Auburn, Alabama
Trey Johnson, Central Gwinett, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Peter Kalambayi, Butler, Matthews, N. Carolina
Isaac Savaiinaea, Punahou, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jaylon Smith, Bishop Luers, Fort Wayne, Indiana

The Butkus Award® draws attention to the I Play Clean campaign, which encourages teens to train hard, eat well, and play with attitude, instead of resorting to performance-enhancing drugs. Dick Butkus encourages past and current athletes, coaches and fans to pledge their support at www.iplayclean.org or www.facebook.com/i.play.clean. Considered one of the greatest football players in history, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Meanwhile, his son Matt was a defensive lineman for the University of Southern California, and joins his father in philanthropic efforts. More information is at www.thebutkusaward.com or www.facebook.com/51.butkus.

Last season’s collegiate winner was Luke Kuechly of Boston College (Carolina Panthers) and the high school winner was Noor Davis of Leesburg, Fla. (Stanford). The pro award was shared by Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens and DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Butkus Award is part of the National College Football Awards Association, a coalition of the major collegiate awards. More information is available at www.NCFAA.org.

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Each watch list contains 51 candidates, honoring the now-retired professional jersey number of Dick Butkus, who is regarded by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history.  The selection panel is comprised of 51 coaches, evaluators and journalists, coordinated by Pro Football Weekly.

The Collegiate Butkus Award watch list includes 51 candidates from 38 universities.  Manti Te’o of Notre Dame is the only returning finalist, after having won the inaugural High School Butkus Award in 2008.  Jarvis Jones of Georgia is a returning semi-finalist.

The High School Butkus Award watch list includes 51 candidates from 50 high schools across 22 states.  Florida (8), Ohio (5) and Texas (5) have the most prep players on the watch list.

Candidates in addition to those appearing on the watch list may be considered for the Award.

Semi-finalists will be named October 22, finalists November 20, and winners will be notified on or before December 4.  The Professional Butkus Award winner will be announced in January 2013.  Winners will be featured in a television special a week before the Super Bowl.

2011 Butkus Award winners:

• Professional: Tie.  DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys, and Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens.
• Collegiate: Luke Kuechly, Boston College, the NFL’s ninth overall draft pick by the Carolina Panthers.
• High School:  Noor Davis, Leesburg High School, Fla., now at Stanford University.

The Butkus Award was expanded in 2008 to honor linebackers at three levels while helping spread the word about Butkus’ I Play Clean initiative which encourages teens to eat well, train hard, and play with attitude instead of resorting to steroids and related drugs.  More information is available at www.iplayclean.org or at www.facebook.com/i.play.clean.

The Butkus Award, www.thebutkusaward.com or www.facebook.com/51.butkus, is presented by the Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. It is part of the National College Football Awards Association, a coalition of the major collegiate awards. More information is available at www.NCFAA.org.

The 2012 List:

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The Awards will be announced formally on a special broadcast of Pro Football Weekly the weekend of January 27-29 on Comcast and Fox Sports Network (check local listings).

Suggs and Ware both received 46 points and 10 first place votes from the panel of 51 coaches, recruiters, scouts and journalists, coordinated by Pro Football Weekly.  Meanwhile, rookie Von Miller of the Denver Broncos finished third with 14 points, after having won the collegiate Butkus Award in 2010 while at Texas A&M University.  NaVorro Bowman of the San Francisco 49ers and Derrick Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs finished fourth and fifth, with 10 points.  Six other players received votes, including 2010 winner Clay Matthews of the Green Bay Packers and 2009 winner Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers.

“Suggs and Ware excelled at beating their blockers and terrorizing quarterbacks,” said Hub Arkush, editor of Pro Football Weekly. 

“Terrell Suggs had his best year in 2011 of his nine years in the NFL, especially against the run.  He understands blocking angles as well as anyone, and has been one of the most consistent pass rushers during his career.  He really stepped up his dominant play when Ray Lewis had a late-season injury.

“DeMarcus Ware is the best pure pass rusher in football.  He is a persistent and dominating defensive player, and overcame an off-season foot surgery to regain his speed and explosion during 2011.” 

In addition to Suggs and Ware, other 2011 season honorees include collegiate winner Luke Kuechly of Boston College and high school winner Noor Davis of Leesburg High School in Florida.  A complete list of winners is available at www.thebutkusaward.com

The Butkus Award honors legendary linebacker Dick Butkus, who wants athletes, coaches and fans to join him in the I Play Clean campaign, which encourages teen athletes to train hard, eat well and play with attitude instead of resorting to illegal steroids.  More information is at www.iplayclean.org

Considered one of the greatest football players in history, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Meanwhile, his son Matt was a defensive lineman for the University of Southern California, and joins his father in philanthropic efforts. Friend him at www.facebook.com/51.butkus.

KUECHLY WINS BUTKUS

I guess that was a sign of things to come. Luke Kuechly has simply been dominating up there at Boston College. It was routine for him to have 10-11 tackles by HALFTIME. That’s a full days worth of work for most players.

So far he’s taken home these following awards:

• Lott IMPACT Trophy
• Lombardi Award
• Butkus Award
• Nagurski Trophy

In case you are wondering Luke finished up with 191 tackles on the season.  Well deserved if you ask me!

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Butkus Award Collegiate Finalists:

• Lavonte David, Nebraska
• Dont’a Hightower, Alabama
• Jarvis Jones, Georgia
• Luke Kuechly, Boston College
• Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
• Courtney Upshaw, Alabama

Butkus Award High School Finalists:

• Kwon Alexander, Oxford High School, Ala.
• Mike Barton, Concord De La Salle High School, Concord, Calif.
• Noor Davis, Leesburg High School, Fla.
• Quanzell Lambert, Timber Creek High School, Sicklerville, NJ
• Antonio Morrison, Bolingbrook High School, Ill.
• Jabari Ruffin, Downey High School, Calif.

Last season’s Butkus Award winners included: Clay Matthews, Super Bowl-winning Green Bay Packers; Von Miller of Texas A&M University and #2 overall NFL draft pick by the Denver Broncos; and Tony Steward of St. Augustine, Fla., now at Clemson.

The Butkus Award® draws attention to the I Play Clean campaign, which aims to end steroid use in organized sports.  Dick Butkus encourages past and current athletes, coaches and fans to pledge their support at www.iplayclean.org or www.facebook.com/i.play.clean.  Considered one of the greatest football players in history, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Meanwhile, his son Matt was a defensive lineman for the University of Southern California, and joins his father in philanthropic efforts. More information is at www.thebutkusaward.com or www.facebook.com/51.butkus.

The Butkus Award is part of the National College Football Awards Association, a coalition of the major collegiate awards. More information is available at www.NCFAA.org.

The Collegiate Butkus Award watch list includes 51 candidates to honor Butkus’ legendary #51 jersey number. The players hail from 40 universities across 10 conferences across the nation.

The headliners of this years class:

• Luke Kuechly of Boston College
• Dont’a Hightower of Alabama
• Sean Spence of Miami (Fla.)
• Travis Lewis of Oklahoma
• Keenan Robinson of Texas
• Manti Te’o of Notre Dame

Semi-finalist will be announced October 24, and finalists November 22. The winner will be announced by December 7.