The Butkus Foundation announced today that linebackers Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz have been named as two of 51 candidates on the watch list for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s top linebacker. Additional information from the Butkus Foundation is included below.
CHICAGO — (July 30, 2025) — The Butkus Foundation today released the preseason watch list for the 41st annual collegiate Butkus Award®, honoring the nation’s top linebacker. The 51-player list pays tribute to Dick Butkus’ iconic No. 51 jersey, worn during his Hall of Fame career as the most feared defender in football history.
The Foundation also announced its Takes Heart™ initiative with Carle Illinois College of Medicine will be featured in an August Big Ten Today broadcast, showcasing joint leadership from both organizations. The partnership advances life-saving cardiovascular screening for athletes, a cause Dick Butkus championed after a 2001 scan extended his life by 23 years.
Candidates for the 2025 Butkus Award represent 39 colleges and universities nationwide. The list includes returning standouts like Alabama’s Deontae Lawson and Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, alongside emerging talents such as Indiana’s Aiden Fisher and USC’s Eric Gentry. The watch list by conference includes: SEC (18), Big Ten (12), ACC (8), and Big 12 (9), with additional nominees from four other conferences.
Award semi-finalists will be named November 4, finalists November 25, and the winner revealed by December 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2025 winner will be honored at a ceremony at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in early 2026, featured on a Big Ten Network special.
The 51-member selection committee, comprised of coaches, scouts, and journalists, evaluates candidates based on the qualities that defined Butkus’ career: toughness, leadership, competitiveness, football character, and traditional linebacking skills.
2025 Butkus Award Watchlist
Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Justin Jefferson, Alabama
Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State
Xavian Sorey, Arkansas
Keaton Thomas, Baylor
Isaiah Glasker, BYU
Jack Kelly, BYU
Jordan Kwiatkowski, Central Michigan
Sammy Brown, Clemson
Wade Woodaz, Clemson
Chris Cole, Georgia
CJ Allen, Georgia
Aiden Fisher, Indiana
Austin Romaine, Kansas State
Alex Afari, Kentucky
Stanquan Clark, Louisville
Harold Perkins, LSU
Whit Weeks, LSU
Daniel Wingate, Maryland
Wesley Bissainthe, Miami-Fla.
Ernest Hausmann, Michigan
Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
Andrew Jones, Mississippi
TJ Dottery, Mississippi
Jalen Smith, Mississippi State
Triston Newson, Missouri
Andrew Simpson, North Carolina
Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame
Jaylen Sneed, Notre Dame
Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Kip Lewis, Oklahoma
Sammy Omosigho, Oklahoma
Bryan McCoy, Oklahoma State
Jason Henderson, Old Dominion
Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
Devon Jackson, Oregon
Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
Rasheem Biles, Pittsburgh
Mani Powell, Purdue
Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU
Arion Carter, Tennessee
Anthony Hill, Texas
Liona Lefau, Texas
Taurean York, Texas A&M
Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Eric Gentry, USC
Lander Barton, Utah
Caleb Woodson, Virginia Tech
Taariq Al-Uqdah, Washington
Christian Alliegro, Wisconsin
The 2024 Butkus Award winners include collegiate winner Jalon Walker of Georgia, selected 15th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 NFL Draft; high school winner Christian Jones of Omaha Westside, now at the University of Nebraska; and professional winner Zack Baun of the Philadelphia Eagles, who helped lead his team to a Super Bowl championship.
“These linebackers exemplify the standard my Dad set for the position,” said Matt Butkus. “With our Carle Illinois partnership, we’re ensuring his legacy continues to impact lives both on and off the field through heart health awareness.”
About the Butkus Award: Founded in 1985, the Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting the Butkus family’s causes, including cardiovascular health (Takes Heart™) and natural training (I Play Clean®).
