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Clemson linebacker Dorian O’Daniel makes the cut for Butkus

By Tyreese Ingram

BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 30: Dorian O'Daniel
BLACKSBURG, VA - SEPTEMBER 30: Dorian O'Daniel /
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Dorian O’Daniel is one of five finalist for the 2017 Dick Butkus Award. If he wins, he would become the first Clemson football player to receive the prestigious honor. 

The senior was named a finalist along with Devin Bush(Michigan), Tremaine Edmunds(Virginia Tech), T.J. Edwards(Wisconsin) and Roquan Smith(Georgia).

Dick Butkus was a hard hitting collegiate and professional linebacker. In 1985, the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Florida created the award in the College football and NFL Hall of Famer’s name. The Dick Butkus Award was originally only given to honor the best college linebacker, but in recent years, it has expanded to also honor the best high school and professional linebackers.

Here is a look at some key statistics for the five finalists:

  1. Dorian O’Daniel. He leads the Clemson defense in tackles with 90. He also has 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, three pass break-ups and two interceptions. O’Daniel returned both interceptions for touchdowns against Louisville and Virginia Tech.
  2. Devin Bush. The freshman has 89 tackles(leads team), 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, eight pass breakups and one interception.
  3. Tremaine Edmunds. After 11 games, Edmunds has 93 tackles(team leading),11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
  4. T.J. Edwards. The Badgers second leading tackler has 60 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, 6 pass breakups and four interceptions. He returned one interception for a 63 yard touchdown.
  5. Roquan Smith. Smith, a junior, has 91 tackles(leads team), 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two pass breakups and one forced fumble.

O’Daniel joins Levon Kirkland(1990), Ed McDaniel(1991) and Keith Adams(2000) as the only Clemson linebackers to be named a finalist.

The 2017 Butkus Award winner will be announced on Dec. 5th.

“When a player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things. First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America. Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand that this recognition brings a responsibility to serve others by giving back.”
Dick Butkus

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