CHICAGO – (November 4, 2024) – Semifinalists for the 40th annual Butkus Award® honoring the nation’s best linebackers were revealed today by the Butkus Foundation.
The 15 collegiate semifinalists represent 14 programs and six conferences led by the SEC (6) and Big Ten (4). Two linebackers made the list for the second year. Meanwhile, 15 high school semifinalists hail from nine states led by Georgia (4) and California (3). In addition to those named, a write-in option is available to the 51-person Butkus Award selection committee.
Finalists will be named November 25 and winners named by December 10, with the pro winner selected early 2025.
A Butkus Award celebration featuring the three winners is planned Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois, where the Award’s namesake, the late Dick Butkus, established his legendary career. The celebration will be featured in the Butkus Award special airing on the Big Ten Network in February 2025. More information will be at www.butkusfoundation.org.
2024 Collegiate Semifinalists
| ATHLETE | UNIVERSITY |
| Jihaad Campbell | Alabama |
| Deontae Lawson* | Alabama |
| Shaun Dolac | Buffalo |
| Barrett Carter | Clemson |
| Jalon Walker | Georgia |
| Aiden Fisher | Indiana |
| Jay Higgins* | Iowa |
| Chandler Martin | Memphis |
| Chris Paul Jr. | Mississippi |
| Sean Brown | North Carolina State |
| Sonny Styles | Ohio State |
| Danny Stutsman | Oklahoma |
| Anthony Hill jr. | Texas |
| Carson Schwesigner | UCLA |
| Shae Suiaunoa | Wyoming |
* Returning Semi-Finalist
2024 High School Semifinalists
| ATHLETE | HIGH SCHOOL | CITY | ST |
| Madden Faraimo | J Serra Catholic | San Juan Capistrano | CA |
| Noah Mikhail | Bonita | La Verne | CA |
| Nasir Wyatt | Mater Dei | Santa Ana | CA |
| Darrell Johnson | Dodge County | Eastman | GA |
| Jadon Perlotte | Buford | Buford | GA |
| Zayden Walker | Schley County | Ellaville | GA |
| Tavion Wallace | Wayne County | Jesup | GA |
| Dawson Merritt | Blue Valley | Stilwell | KS |
| Keylan Moses | University Lab | Baton Rouge | LA |
| Jarcoby Hopson | Lake Cormorant | Lake Cormorant | MS |
| Christian Jones | Westside | Omaha | NE |
| Anthony Sacca | St. Joseph’s Prep School | Philadelphia | PA |
| Elijah Barnes | Skyline | Dallas | TX |
| Riley Pettijohn | McKinney | McKinney | TX |
| Brett Clatterbaugh | Eastern View | Culpeper | VA |
The 51-person Butkus Award selection committee comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process emphasizing qualities that defined Dick Butkus’ career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills. The Award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form.
Last season’s collegiate winner was Payton Wilson of North Carolina State (now Pittsburgh Steelers), the high school winner was Sammy Brown of Jefferson, Ga. (now Clemson) and the pro winner was Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens, who also won the pro award in 2022 and the collegiate award in 2017.
When gaining control of the Butkus Award in 2008 Mr. Butkus said, “When an outstanding player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things: first, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in the country; second, and in the long run most important, he will understand this recognition brings a responsibility of giving back.”
About the Butkus Award: 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 40th season.
