Photo by: Craig Bisacre
Johnson Named Semifinalist for Butkus Award
Nov 30, 2020 | Football
CHICAGO – Texas A&M's play-making linebacker Buddy Johnson was named a semifinalist for the 2020 Butkus Award, announced Monday by the Butkus Foundation.
Johnson paces the SEC-leading A&M defense with 66 tackles through seven games. He is one of just nine SEC players to average nine or more tackles per game this season. The senior continues to show a penchant for making game-altering plays, against LSU he snagged an errant pass and scampered 15 yards to the end zone that effectively sealed the victory for the Aggies. The defensive touchdown was the second of Johnson's career, a season ago the Dallas native returned a fumble 62 yards to help seal a close win at Ole Miss.
Against then No. 4 Florida, the linebacker forced a fumble with less than four minutes to play allowing the Aggies to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired. Johnson made it two straight games with a forced fumble as he converted a strip-sack at Mississippi State midway through the third quarter.
The Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. The watch list contains 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey associated with the Award's namesake Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history.
High school and collegiate finalists are expected to be announced December 7, and winners will be announced on or before December 22. The pro winner will be announced in early 2021.
Johnson paces the SEC-leading A&M defense with 66 tackles through seven games. He is one of just nine SEC players to average nine or more tackles per game this season. The senior continues to show a penchant for making game-altering plays, against LSU he snagged an errant pass and scampered 15 yards to the end zone that effectively sealed the victory for the Aggies. The defensive touchdown was the second of Johnson's career, a season ago the Dallas native returned a fumble 62 yards to help seal a close win at Ole Miss.
Against then No. 4 Florida, the linebacker forced a fumble with less than four minutes to play allowing the Aggies to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired. Johnson made it two straight games with a forced fumble as he converted a strip-sack at Mississippi State midway through the third quarter.
The Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. The watch list contains 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary "51" pro jersey associated with the Award's namesake Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history.
High school and collegiate finalists are expected to be announced December 7, and winners will be announced on or before December 22. The pro winner will be announced in early 2021.
Players Mentioned
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