Danny Stutsman named finalist for Butkus Award

A year after getting snubbed, OU senior linebacker Danny Stutsman is officially a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award, which is given to the best linebacker in college football.

Last year, Stutsman wasn’t even a semi-finalist despite the best season of his career and having statistics on par with those who were honored. But this year, Stutsman not only was a semi-finalist, but is one of five finalists for the award. This was one of Stutsman’s top goals this season, after choosing to return to Norman for one final season instead of heading for the NFL.

“At the end of the day, the NFL’s always gonna be there,” Stutsman said in July. “But having my senior year at such a great university that’s given me so much — more than I could ever think.”

Here are the five finalists:

Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

Barrett Carter, Clemson

Chris Paul Jr., Mississippi

Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

Jalon Walker, Georgia

This season, Stutsman has totaled 100 tackles, eight tackles for loss and one sack. In his career, Stutsman has totaled 367 tackles, which ranks ninth all-time in program history. If he were to win, he would join Teddy Lehman (2003), Rocky Calmus (2001) and Brian Bosworth (1985, 1986) as the fourth Sooner to take home the award.

Butkus Award selection committee is comprised of 51 experts, including professional, college and high school scouts, and prominent sports journalists conduct the selection process each year. The winner will be announced on Dec. 10.

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