CHICAGO, Ill. (Nov. 4, 2024) – Semifinalists for the 40^th annual Butkus Award® honoring the nation’s best linebackers were revealed Monday by the Butkus Foundation. Wyoming linebacker Shae Suiaunoa was named a semifinalist for the award and is the only player from the Mountain West Conference on the list.

Suiaunoa is the first Cowboy since Chad Muma in 2021 to be named a semifinalist for the award. Muma was one of six finalists during that season.

He ranks ninth in the Mountain West and No. 65 in the nation with 7.8 tackles per game. He leads the Cowboys in total tackles with 70 to rank seventh in the conference. He is also tied for the Wyoming lead in tackles for loss on the season with 8.5.

Suiaunoa recorded three games this season with 10 or more tackles. He had a season-high 13 against Air Force. He also added 10 against Idaho and San Diego State. He has recorded 249 career tackles at Wyoming with 18.5 tackles for loss.

The 15 collegiate semifinalists represent 14 programs and six conferences led by the SEC (6) and Big Ten (4). Two linebackers made the list for the second year. Meanwhile, 15 high school semifinalists hail from nine states led by Georgia (4) and California (3). In addition to those named, a write-in option is available to the 51-person Butkus Award selection committee.

Finalists will be named November 25 and winners named by December 10, with the pro winner selected early 2025.

A Butkus Award celebration featuring the three winners is planned Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois, where the Award’s namesake, the late Dick Butkus, established his legendary career. The celebration will be featured in the Butkus Award special airing on the Big Ten Network in February 2025. More information will be at www.butkusfoundation.org.

2024 Collegiate Semifinalists

* Returning Semi-Finalist 

The 51-person Butkus Award selection committee comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process emphasizing qualities that defined Dick Butkus’ career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills. The Award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form. 

Last season’s collegiate winner was Payton Wilson of North Carolina State (now Pittsburgh Steelers), the high school winner was Sammy Brown of Jefferson, Ga. (now Clemson) and the pro winner was Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens, who also won the pro award in 2022 and the collegiate award in 2017.

When gaining control of the Butkus Award in 2008 Mr. Butkus said, “When an outstanding player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things: first, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in the country; second, and in the long run most important, he will understand this recognition brings a responsibility of giving back.”

About the Butkus Award: Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. Causes include Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative encouraging early cardiovascular screening among adults, and the I Play Clean® initiative encouraging 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 presented the high school and professional awards since 2008. The collegiate award is now in its 40^th season.