The Butkus family announced today that linebacker Barrett Carter has been named as one of 51 players on the watch list for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker. Additional information from award
BUTKUS AWARD® 40th SEASON WATCH LIST ANNOUNCED
Search begins for the nation’s top collegiate linebacker
CHICAGO – (August 13, 2024) – The 40th annual collegiate Butkus Award® selection process to identify the top linebacker in the country began today with release of the preseason watch list.
The 51 linebackers named to the watch list is a nod to the storied “51” pro jersey won by the award’s namesake, the late Dick Butkus. His tenacious leadership from the middle linebacker position earned him acclaim by NFL Films as the greatest defensive player in football history.
Candidates for the collegiate Butkus Award represent 44 colleges and universities from across the country. The list includes two returning semi-finalists from 2023; Deontae Lawson of Alabama and Jay Higgins of Iowa. The watch list by conference includes; Big Ten (16), SEC (12), ACC (7) and Big 12 (7), along with candidates from four other conferences and an independent program. Seven schools are represented by teammates, including Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and Utah.
Award semi-finalists are expected to be named November 4, with finalists named November 25 and the winner named by December 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2024 Butkus Award winners at the high school, college and pro level will be honored at an event planned for early 2025 at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois as part of the Big Ten Network television special.
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.
The selection committee congratulates Patrick Willis who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame August 3, 2024. Willis won the 2006 collegiate Butkus Award and 2009 pro Butkus Award, and has supported the charitable causes of the Butkus Foundation.
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.
