CHICAGO — UTSA junior Josiah Tauaefa has been named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award honoring the nation's best collegiate linebacker, the Butkus Foundation announced Monday.
Tauaefa is one of 10 semifinalists for the award and the only student-athlete from Conference USA on the list. Other semifinalists include Josh Allen (Kentucky), Markus Bailey (Purdue), Devin Bush (Michigan), Ryan Connelly (Wisconsin), Tre Lamar (Clemson), David Long (West Virginia), Dylan Moses (Alabama), Devin White (LSU) and Mack Wilson (Alabama).
Tauaefa leads the Roadrunners with 69 total tackles, 42 solo stops, 8.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles to go along with a pair of quarterback hurries this season. The Corinth, Texas, native has registered double-digit tackles in three games, including 26 combined in the last two contests.
A Freshman All-American and the Conference USA Freshman of the Year after setting UTSA's single-season tackles record with 115 in 2016, Tauaefa registered 10 stops in the season opener at Arizona State and 13 against both Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss. The Lake Dallas High School product turned in nine tackles — including 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks — and a forced fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Lorenzo Dantzler in the 25-21 victory over Texas State.
Finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 19 and the winner will be announced on or before Dec. 4.
A panel of 51 coaches, recruiters, scouts and journalists who vote separately and confidentially using a 3-2-1 process selected the semifinalists. Selectors and selection criteria are posted at thebutkusaward.com.
The Butkus Award® is presented by the Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization which advances health and wellness through special initiatives. This includes the I Play Clean® program encouraging athletes to play using their natural ability and avoid the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs. Each semifinalist has provided a written confirmation that they play clean.
The Butkus Award is part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which includes 23 awards honoring 800 individuals since 1935.
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