CHICAGO – The Butkus Foundation has named 12 of the nation’s best collegiate and high school linebackers as Butkus Award® semifinalists for the 2023 season.
The collegiate semifinalists come from 12 different schools representing five conferences (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC) and the FBS independents. There is one repeat semifinalist from a season ago, Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenberg. Nine different states are represented among the 12 high school semifinalists, with Virginia leading the way with three and Texas having a pair of semifinalists. The winner of each award will be named on or before Dec. 7.
The 2023 Butkus Award winners will be honored at a gala event on Jan. 27, 2024, at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The event will honor the legacy of namesake Dick Butkus and be supported by numerous noted NFL Alumni. Ticket and sponsorship information is available by contacting the Butkus Foundation.
Following are the semifinalist selections:
2023 Collegiate Butkus Award Semifinalists
• Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
Jaylan Ford, Texas
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Jay Higgins, Iowa
Ty’Ron Hopper, Missouri
Curtis Jacobs, Penn State
Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Marist Liufau, Notre Dame
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State
Payton Wilson, NC State
2023 High School Butkus Award Semifinalists
Sammy Brown, Jefferson, Ga.
Aaron Chiles, Olney, Md. (Our Lady of Good Counsel)
Chris Cole, Salem, Va.
Cayden Jones, Arden, N.C. (Christ School)
Kris Jones, Fairfax, Va.
Payton Pierce, Allen, Texas (Lovejoy)
Brayden Platt, Yelm, Wash.
Demarcus Riddick, Clanton, Ala. (Chilton County)
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa Bellflower, Calif. (St. John Bosco)
Derek Weisskopf, Williamsburg, Iowa
Justin Williams, Conroe, Texas (Oak Ridge)
Bodie Kahoun, Roanoke, Va. (Patrick Henry)
• Denotes repeat selection