Penn State football linebacker Curtis Jacobs was named a semifinalist for the Dick Butkus Award, which honors college football’s top linebacker.

LBU @CurtisUpNext23 pic.twitter.com/HFy0LSFjP2

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) November 7, 2023

Jacobs, a junior from Glen Burnie, Maryland, leads the Nittany Lions with 36 total tackles and 25 solo tackles. His two fumble recoveries are tied with safety KJ Winston for the most on the team, while his four quarterback hurries are also tied with Adisa Isaac to lead the team. Meanwhile, his five tackles for loss rank third behind Isaac and Zane Durant. He also has a sack to his name.

Jacobs’ two fumble recoveries came against Iowa, which made him the first Nittany Lion to accomplish the feat since Mark D’Onofrio in 1991. Meanwhile, his lone sack of the campaign came against West Virginia.

Eleven other players were named semifinalists, including Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenburg and Iowa’s Jay Higgins.

Jacobs, who was named to the award watchlist before the season, would be the third Nittany Lion to take home the honor since its inception in 1985. Paul Posulszny and LaVar Arrington were recipients in 2005 and 1999, respectively.