The college football season is headed for its homestretch and as a result, semifinalists and finalists are beginning to be named for various awards. The Big Ten is often home to handfuls of semifinalists and the Butkus Award is no different.
The Butkus Foundation has announced 15 collegiate semifinalists for the 2024 Butkus Award from 14 schools. The Big Ten boasts four linebackers on the prestigious list including one who repeated as a semifinalist. Before the season, 16 Big Ten linebackers were on the watchlist for the Butkus Award. One of the semifinalists was not on the initial watchlist.
In terms of the current makeup of the Big Ten, 13 linebackers from the conference have taken home the award from 10 different schools.
Four Big Ten Linebackers Named Butkus Award Semifinalists
Aiden Fisher, Indiana
Indiana is 9-0 for the first time in program history and it has tied the program record for most wins in a single season with three regular-season games left. It truly has been a magical season for the Hoosiers and Aiden Fisher has been a massive part of rejuvenating the defense.
Fisher leads the way with 84 tackles which positions him as third-best in the Big Ten and 17th in the nation. He has three-and-a-half tackles for loss and one-and-a-half sacks. Additionally, Fisher has added three pass breakups.
Fisher was one of the James Madison-to-Indiana movements to follow Curt Cignetti. Last year, he let the way with 108 tackles for the Dukes.
He looks to be the first Hoosier to take home the award.
Jay Higgins, Iowa
One of two repeat honorees semifinalists, Jay Higgins is back at it again for the Hawkeyes. A mid-season All-American and Lott IMPACT Trophy quarterfinalist, Higgins is leading the way in the Big Ten and is sixth in college football with 94 tackles thus far. In addition, he has one tackle for loss, one sack, three interceptions, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.
Higgins was on the Butkus preseason watchlist as well as the Nagurski Trophy, Wuerrfell Trophy, Lombardi Award, Bednarik Award, and Senior Bowl watchlists.
Iowa has one previous winner in its history (Jack Campbell, 2022) who was also a two-time Butkus Award semifinalist.
Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Transitioning from safety has been a process but Sonny Styles has picked it up well. In his first season as a linebacker, Styles has flashed that athleticism that brought the Buckeyes to fall in love with him as a recruit.
Now, he leads the Ohio State defense with 52 tackles and has added two-and-a-half tackles for loss, a sack, and a recovered fumble.
Styles has an opportunity to be the third Ohio State linebacker to take home the award (Andy Katzenmoyer, 1997; James Laurinaitis, 2007).
Carson Schwesigner, UCLA
Finally, while this season is not going as UCLA had hoped, Carson Schwesigner has been a leader on the defense. The redshirt junior joined the program as a walk-on in 2021 and has worked his way into consideration for one of the most prestigious awards in college football.
Through eight games, Schwesinger has racked up 85 tackles, seven-and-a-half tackles for loss, three sacks, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. His 54 solo tackles lead the Big Ten and he has accounted for double-digit tackles in each of the last six games for UCLA.
Schwesigner is looking to be the second Bruin to win the Butkus Award after Eric Kendricks did so in 2014.
The Rest of the Semifinalists
- Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
- Deontae Lawson, Alabama
- Shaun Dolac, Buffalo
- Barrett Carter, Clemson
- Jalon Walker, Georgia
- Chandler Martin, Memphis
- Chris Paul, Jr., Mississippi
- Sean Brown, North Carolina State
- Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma
- Anthony Hill, Jr., Texas
- Shae Suiaunoa, Wyoming
Finalists will be named on November 25 and the winners will be named on December 10.
