The Butkus Award

The Butkus Award has been given each year since 1985 to the best linebacker in college football. The award is named in honor of Dick Butkus, an NFL Hall of Famer who is considered by most experts the finest linebacker to ever play the game.

The winners of the award are listed here.

1985: Brian Bosworth Oklahoma
1986: Brian Bosworth Oklahoma
1987: Paul McGowan Florida State
1988: Derrick Thomas Alabama
1989: Percy Snow Michigan State
1990: Alfred Williams Colorado
1991: Erick Anderson Michigan
1992: Marvin Jones Florida State
1993: Trev Alberts Nebraska
1994: Dana Howard Illinois
1995: Kevin Hardy Illinois
1996: Matt Russell Colorado
1997: Andy Katzenmoyer Ohio State
1998: Chris Claiborne USC
1999: LaVar Arrington Penn State
2000: Dan Morgan Miami
2001: Rocky Calmus Oklahoma
2002: E.J. Henderson Maryland
2003: Teddy Lehman Oklahoma
2004: Derrick Johnson Texas
2005: Paul Posluszny Penn State
2006: Patrick Willis Ole Miss
2007: James Laurinaitis Ohio State
2008: Aaron Curry Wake Forest
2009: Rolando McClain Alabama