The finalists for the award given to the nation’s most outstanding linebacker were announced Monday morning, and all I have to say is good luck to whoever is tasked with selecting a winner. This will not be an easy choice.
The Butkus Award revealed its five finalists for the 2013 version of the trophy and, without any further ado, here they are -- in alphabetical order so as not to prejudice the voting pool:
- Anthony Barr, UCLA
- Khalil Mack, Buffalo
- C.J. Mosley, Alabama
- Ryan Shazier, Ohio State
- Shayne Skov, Stanford
Mosley is the only one of the five who was also a finalist for the 2012 Butkus Award, which was won by Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o.
Shazier (19.5, 3rd), Barr (17, T-8th) and Mack (16.5, T-13th) are in the Top 15 nationally in tackles for loss. Mack is tied for eighth in the country in sacks with 10.5, while Barr is tied for 26th with eight.