* Press release from the University of Wyoming
LARAMIE – The 40th The annual selection process for the College Butkus Award® to identify the nation’s best linebacker began today with the release of the preseason watch list.
Wyoming linebacker Shae Suiaunoa was one of 51 players named to the list.
Butkus Award nominees represent 44 colleges and universities from across the country. The list includes two returning 2023 semifinalists: Alabama’s Deontae Lawson and Iowa’s Jay Higgins. The nominee list by conference includes: Big Ten (16), SEC (12), ACC (7) and Big 12 (7), as well as nominees from four other conferences and one independent program.
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Seven schools are represented by teammates, including Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and Utah.
Suiaunoa appeared in and started all 13 games for the Cowboys last season. He was named third team All-MW by Phil Steele. He was second on the team with 93 total tackles. He also had 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception. He ranked 10th in the MW with 7.2 tackles per game. He had 10 or more tackles in three games last season.
He recorded a career-high 12 tackles for the Cowboys in a win over Texas Tech. He added 13 tackles against another top-ranked opponent, Fresno State, and 11 against Boise State. Suiaunoa recorded an interception against Colorado State. He recorded a season-high 1.5 tackles for loss in a win over Portland State.
The award’s semifinalists are expected to be announced on November 4, the finalists on November 25 and the winner by December 10. A spot on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2024 Butkus Award winners at the high school, college and professional levels will be honored at an event scheduled for early 2025 at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium as part of the Big Ten Network’s television special.
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The 51-member Butkus Award Selection Committee, comprised of coaches, talent scouts and journalists, guides the selection process and highlights the qualities that have defined Dick Butkus’ career: toughness, leadership on the field, competitiveness, football character and ability as a linebacker.
The award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play standing in a two-point stance without the ball in the traditional form.
About the Butkus Award: Established in 1985, the Butkus Award honors linebackers on three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. Causes include the Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative, which encourages early cardiovascular screenings for adults, and the I Play Clean® initiative, which encourages 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 been presenting the high school and professional awards since 2008. The college award is now in its 40th year.th Season.
LOOK: Pokes’ uniforms through the years
