Luke Kuechly Named Butkus Award Semifinalist

Luke Kuechly has been named one of the 12 semifinalists for the 27th Annual Butkus Award, awarded to the nation's top linebacker. The junior linebacker leads the nation in both total tackles and tackles per game, and at his current pace, will break both the NCAA's all-time records for total tackles and tackles per game. 

Joining Kuechly on the Butkus Award semifinalist list are: Zach Brown (North Carolina), Vontaze Burfict (Arizona State University), Audie Cole (N.C. State), Lavonte David (Nebraska), Don'ta Hightower (Alabama), Jarvis Jones (Georgia), Travis Lewis (Oklahoma), Keenan Robinson (Texas), Sean Spence (Miami), Manti Te'o (Notre Dame) and Courtney Upshaw (Alabama).

Kuechly is one of five nominees to make the Butkus Award semifinalist list for the second consecutive season.

Finalists will be announced November 22 and the 2011 award recipient will be announced by December 7.

Bold prediction: Kuechly again gets passed up for the Butkus Award due to Boston College's poor season and finishes second to either Hightower or Burfict.