Scooby who? UCLA’s Eric Kendricks named Butkus Award winner

Monday, Scooby Wright was named as the 2014 winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player. A day later, he couldn’t even claim an award for his own position.

Instead, the 2014 Butkus Award was handed out to UCLA’s Eric Kendricks. The Butkus Award, named in honor of former Illinois and Chicago Bears great Dick Butkus, has been given out annually to the nation’s top linebacker since 1985.

Wright wasn’t one of the five finalists for the award announced Nov. 24, but he was the subject of a write-in candidacy that propelled him into the Top Five. From the award’s release:

UCLA’s Kendricks very narrowly edged the University of Miami’s senior standout Denzel Perryman, a returning semi-finalist. They were followed closely by Notre Dame sophomore Jaylon Smith and University of Washington senior Hao’oli Kikaha in what was a four-man race until the end. Arizona’s Scooby Wright led the pack in write-in votes and finished fifth, alongside Michigan’s Jake Ryan.

Kendricks, incidentally, received his Butkus Award in a surprise on-field presentation by the man whose name is on the award.

Overwhelmed with joy. This is for all my underdogs out there! Thanks family/friends/teammates/coaches/BUTKUS/UCLA pic.twitter.com/jUCuhAtCyB

— Eric Kendricks (@EricKendricks54) December 9, 2014