Jalen Smith Named To Butkus Award Watch List

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football's Jalen Smith was named to the watch list for the 41st annual collegiate Butkus Award, honoring the nation's top linebacker. The 51-player list pays tribute to Dick Butkus' iconic No. 51 jersey, worn during his Hall of Fame career as the most feared defender in football history.

Smith, a native of Grayson, Ga., enters his first season with the Bulldogs after transferring from Tennessee. In 2024, Smith was named to the SEC All-Freshman squad after registering 34 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in 12 games last season. Smith averaged roughly 21 snaps per game according to Pro Football Focus during his redshirt freshman season in Knoxville. He was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in both 2023 and 2024.

Before college ball, Smith was a four-star recruit and a two-time team captain who helped lead Grayson High School to the Class 7A State quarterfinals as a senior—earned All Region 4-7A Defensive Player of the Year honors while totaling 154 total tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and a fumble recovery in 2022.

Candidates for the 2025 Butkus Award represent 39 colleges and universities nationwide. Gentry. The watch list by conference includes: SEC (18), Big Ten (12), ACC (8), and Big 12 (9), with additional nominees from four other conferences.

Award semi-finalists will be named November 4, finalists November 25, and the winner revealed by December 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award.

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– HailState.com –

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Jalen Smith Named To Butkus Award Watch List

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Jalen Smith

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