Topics

More

Penn State’s Brandon Smith Named Butkus Award Semifinalist

Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith is one of 16 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, as announced Monday. The award is annually presented to college football’s best linebacker.

This season, Smith already has 52 tackles, two sacks, two passes defended, and a forced fumble under his belt. With tough matchups against Michigan and Michigan State looming, Penn State’s defense will need Smith to continue playing at a high level.

This is not the first recognition the former five-star recruit has received this season. Following his standout performance against Auburn in this year’s White Out, Smith was named that week’s Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

Smith was not the only linebacker representing the Big Ten on the list of semifinalists. Jack Campbell (Iowa) and Olakunle Fatukasi (Rutgers) were also honored. Only the Pac-12 had more representation with four semifinalists.

Since the award’s creation in 1985, two Nittany Lion legends, LaVar Arrington and Paul Posluzsny, have won it.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Sam Fremin

Sam is a senior from Ashburn, Virginia, majoring in journalism and political science & minoring in German and creative writing. He is a Dallas Cowboys fan who relishes the misery of Eagles fans. All hate messages can be sent to [email protected] or @SamFremin on Twitter.

He may or may not read every single comment he gets.

Gameday Coverage: No. 3 Penn State vs. No. 4 Ohio State

The biggest game of the season is finally here.

‘I Own It All’: James Franklin Suffers Eighth Straight Loss Against Ohio State

Although the Nittany Lions had issues on both sides of the ball during Saturday’s loss, Franklin took full responsibility for the result.

Fourth-Quarter Offensive Incompetence Dooms Penn State Football In Ohio State Loss

The Nittany Lions failed to score from within the five-yard line late in the game.

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
61.3kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter