The Butkus Foundation announced today that Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown has been named as one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding linebacker. Brown becomes the seventh different Clemson linebacker in the last 10 seasons to be named as a Butkus Award semifinalist (Barrett Carter, 2024; Jeremiah Trotter Jr., 2023; Trenton Simpson, 2022; Isaiah Simmons, 2019; Tre Lamar, 2018; Dorian O’Daniel, 2017).
More information from the Butkus Foundation is included below.
CHICAGO – October 28, 2026 – The Butkus Foundation has announced the collegiate and high school semifinalists for the 2026 Butkus Award®, recognizing the nation's outstanding linebackers at each level of competition.
Established in 1985, the Butkus Award has become one of football's most respected individual honors, recognizing the nation's premier linebackers. Named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, whose extraordinary career helped define the position, the award has honored generations of outstanding players and remains a coveted distinction at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.
The 2026 semifinalists were selected through a national evaluation process involving coaches, scouts and football journalists. The selection committee will narrow the field to finalists before determining this year's recipients.
2026 Collegiate Butkus Award® Semifinalists
Maverick Baranowski, Minnesota
Rasheem Biles, Texas
Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame
Sammy Brown, Clemson
Cam Buffington, Iowa
Arion Carter, Tennessee
Chris Cole, Georgia
Owen Heineke, Oklahoma
Derek McDonald, North Carolina
Sammy Omosigho, UCLA
Mason Posa, Wisconsin
Ben Roberts, Texas Tech
Nicholas Rodriguez, Missouri
Tony Rojas, Penn State
Cade Uluave, BYU
2026 High School Butkus Award® Semifinalists
Mikahi Allen, Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, NJ
Quinton Cypher, Millbrook, Raleigh, NC
Taven Epps, Tustin, Tustin, CA
Brayton Feister, Washington, Massillon, OH
Sean Fox, Warren Central, Indianapolis, IN
Noah Glover, Battlefield, Haymarket, VA
Jake Godfree, North Gwinnett, Suwanee, GA
Kaden Henderson, Jesuit, Tampa, FL
Roman Igwebuike, Mt. Carmel, Chicago, IL
Jalaythan Mayfield, Lincolnton, Lincolnton, NC
Colton McKibben, Carlsbad, Carlsbad, NM
Aroson “AJ” Randle Jr., Garner, Garner, NC
Kenneth Simon II, Brentwood Academy, Brentwood, TN
Tate Wallace, Regina, Iowa City, IA
Cooper Witten, Liberty Christian, Argyle, TX
Finalists for the collegiate and high school awards will be announced on November 20th, with the 2026 Butkus Award winners named the week of December 7th.
Each recipient will receive the traditional Butkus Award trophy recognizing his achievement as one of the nation's premier linebackers.
About the Butkus Award®
Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award® honors the nation's outstanding linebackers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. Named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, the award recognizes excellence at a position he helped define. A national panel of football experts guides the selection process. The high school and professional awards were added in 2008, extending the recognition to outstanding linebackers at every level of the game.