Dick Butkus Award Winners

Most Outstanding Linebacker

Award Winners

  • * indicates bowl stats included
Award Winners Table
Year Player School Summary
2025Jacob Rodriguez*Texas Tech63 Solo, 65 Ast, 1.0 Sk, 4 Int
2024Jalon Walker*Georgia37 Solo, 23 Ast, 6.5 Sk, 0 Int
2023Payton Wilson*North Carolina State69 Solo, 69 Ast, 6.0 Sk, 3 Int
2022Jack Campbell*Iowa60 Solo, 68 Ast, 1.0 Sk, 2 Int
2021Nakobe Dean*Georgia36 Solo, 36 Ast, 6.0 Sk, 2 Int
2020Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah*Notre Dame42 Solo, 20 Ast, 1.5 Sk, 1 Int
2019Isaiah Simmons*Clemson67 Solo, 36 Ast, 7.0 Sk, 3 Int
2018Devin White*LSU62 Solo, 61 Ast, 3.0 Sk, 0 Int
2017Roquan Smith*Georgia85 Solo, 52 Ast, 6.5 Sk, 0 Int
2016Reuben Foster*Alabama60 Solo, 55 Ast, 5.0 Sk, 0 Int
2015Jaylon Smith*Notre Dame69 Solo, 45 Ast, 1.0 Sk, 0 Int
2014Eric Kendricks*UCLA101 Solo, 48 Ast, 4.0 Sk, 3 Int
2013C.J. Mosley*Alabama62 Solo, 44 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 0 Int
2012Manti Te'o*Notre Dame55 Solo, 58 Ast, 1.5 Sk, 7 Int
2011Luke KuechlyBoston College102 Solo, 89 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 3 Int
2010Von Miller*Texas A&M38 Solo, 30 Ast, 10.5 Sk, 1 Int
2009Rolando McClain*Alabama53 Solo, 52 Ast, 4.0 Sk, 2 Int
2008Aaron Curry*Wake Forest66 Solo, 39 Ast, 2.5 Sk, 1 Int
2007James Laurinaitis*Ohio State51 Solo, 70 Ast, 5.0 Sk, 2 Int
2006Patrick WillisOle Miss87 Solo, 50 Ast, 3.0 Sk, 0 Int
2005Paul Posluszny*Penn State64 Solo, 52 Ast, 3.0 Sk, 0 Int
2004Derrick Johnson*Texas1 Int, 18 Yds, 0 TD
2003Teddy Lehman*Oklahoma1 Int, 0 Yds, 0 TD
2002E.J. Henderson*Maryland2 Int, 20 Yds, 0 TD
2001Rocky CalmusOklahoma1 Int, 33 Yds, 0 TD
2000Dan MorganMiami (FL)2 Int, 34 Yds, 0 TD
1999Lavar ArringtonPenn State1 Int, 27 Yds, 0 TD
1998Chris ClaiborneUSC6 Int, 159 Yds, 2 TD
1997Andy KatzenmoyerOhio State2 Int, 25 Yds, 1 TD
1996Matt RussellColorado1 Int, 0 Yds, 0 TD
1995Kevin HardyIllinois3 Int, 26 Yds, 0 TD
1994Dana HowardIllinois2 Int, 63 Yds, 0 TD
1993Trev AlbertsNebraska
1992Marvin JonesFlorida State
1991Erick AndersonMichigan
1990Alfred WilliamsColorado
1989Percy SnowMichigan State3 Int, 28 Yds, 0 TD
1988Derrick ThomasAlabama
1987Paul McgowanFlorida State
1986Brian BosworthOklahoma
1985Brian BosworthOklahoma1 Int, 0 Yds, 0 TD