It’s national awards semifinalist list season! In addition to the Lombardi Award, the Butkus Award released its list of a dozen semifinalists for the 2025 season.
The Butkus Foundation has announced 12 collegiate semifinalists for the 2025 Butkus Award from 11 schools. The Big Ten boasts five linebackers on the prestigious list, including two who repeated as semifinalists.
In terms of the current makeup of the Big Ten, 13 linebackers from the conference have taken home the award from 10 different schools. The last player to win the award with the Big Ten logo on his chest was current Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis in 2007.
Five Big Ten Linebackers Named Butkus Award Semifinalists
Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
One of the most interesting players in all of college football, Bryce Bottcher has done it all. On the football field, Boettcher came from nothing as a walk-on. He bided his time and broke out last year with 94 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and an interception. He was awarded the Burlsworth Trophy, recognizing him as the best former walk-on in the country. Boettcher was named a nominee for this year’s trophy as well.
This year, he is playing just as well. Bottcher has 64 tackles, two tackles for loss, three pass breakups, a forced fumble, and an interception.
If all of that wasn’t enough, he was also a standout for the Oregon baseball team. Also, as a walk-on, Boettcher was drafted in the 13th round by the Houston Astros in the 2024 MLB Draft. He is still in the Astros’ farm system and could be facing a critical decision over the next six months.
Boettcher could be the first Oregon Duck to take home the Butkus Award.
Aiden Fisher, Indiana
One of the three returning Butkus Award semifinalists from last year is Aiden Fisher, the leader of the Indiana defense. Fisher is not a surprise considering his consistent top-tier play. After putting up 100+ tackles in each of his last two seasons, Fisher is well on his way to a third. The senior linebacker paces the Hoosiers’ defense with 49 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two-and-a-half sacks, and even tallied a 25-yard pick-six.
Last year, Fisher was a first-team All-American from Phil Steele and the FWAA, while Sporting News and Sports Illustrated named him on the second team. Fisher can become the first Hoosier to win the Butkus Award.
Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Perhaps the greatest breakout on the Buckeye defense this year has been Arvell Reese. The third-year linebacker went from “who is replacing Cody Simon” to potential top-10 pick territory. This year, Reese has totaled 54 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six-and-a-half sacks, and two pass breakups. NFL scouts have been raving about Reese, from his explosiveness to his strength. He and Styles are the only teammates on the Butkus Award semifinalist list, in addition to the Lombardi.
Despite this being his first season as a full-time starter, NFL folks are salivating. His rare blend of athleticism and production has catapulted him from a relative unknown to a potential top-10 pick.
Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
Stuck behind a host of NFL-bound players, Jimmy Rolder had to wait his turn. Last year, he played a modest amount, but he’s taken over as a leader in this year’s Wolverine defense.
In his eight games, Rolder has amassed 52 tackles, five-and-a-half tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and an interception. He is coming off a massive performance in the win over rival Michigan State, where he had his first career 10-tackle performance.
Rolder can become the first Michigan linebacker since Erick Anderson (1991) to win the Butkus Award.
Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Ohio State had to replace eight NFL Draft picks from last year’s elite defense, and, somehow, is better. The only returning starter on the defensive front seven is Sonny Styles. A player who could have joined his teammates in last year’s draft, Styles elected to return to Columbus to further hone his craft. After breaking out at linebacker last year, Styles has taken another step and could be considered one of the best linebackers in the country. In that breakout season, Styles was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award as well.
With the Butkus Award, Styles was also named a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award. In eight games, Styles has amassed 45 tackles, two-and-a-half tackles for loss, a pass breakup, a forced fumble, and his first career interception.
Styles and Reese are working to become the third Buckeye to win the award.
The Rest
- CJ Allen, Georgia
- Jake Golday, Cincinnati
- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas (Semifinalist in 2024)
- Deontae Lawson, Alabama
- Khalil Murdock, Buffalo
- Kam Robinson, Virginia
- Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Main Image: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
