“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.”
The Butkus Foundation announced that Texas Longhorns Football linebacker Jaylon Ford was a named a semifinalist for the prestegious 2023 Butkus Award. This was the first time in Ford’s collegiate career being named.
The Butkus Award honors the nations top college linebacker by a selection committee comprised of 51 experts, including coaches, scouts and sports journalist. For example, New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, Denver Broncos inside linebackers coach Greg Manusky, Alabama head coach Nick Saban, ESPN College football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, and Philadelphia Eagles Senior Personnel Executive and 1996 Butkus Winner Matt Russell are on the selection committee along with other high calibar members of football.
Ford is a dominant force on the Texas defense. A native of Frisco, Texas, Ford has played in every game this season and leads the team in tackles with 65 of which 28 were solo tackles, plus a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions.
Ford is great to talk with. He likes to joke about his teammates and is always in a competition with Jahdae Barron, especially for interceptions.
During player interviews after Sarkisian’s Monday press conference, Jaylon Ford sat with media to talk football. Thomas Jones from the Austin American Stateman asked Ford about being a semifinalist to which Ford reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet to show a picture of Dick Butkus that he keeps with him.
The 2023 Butkus Award winners will be announced and honored on Jan 27, 2024 and a gala event in Rancho Mirage, Ca. The even will honor the legacy of namesake Dick Butkus. Butkus recently passed away on October 5, 2023 in Malibu, Ca. During Butkus’ playing days he was known as (The Animal, The Enforcer, The Maestro of Mayhem and The Robot of Destruction)
We think Jaylor Ford could easily be known as The Disrupter. What name would you give Ford?
| #HookEm
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