Demetrius Knight Jr. and Debo Williams Named to Butkus Award Watch List

University of South Carolina linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Debo Williams are among the 51 players named to the 40th annual collegiate Butkus Award, it was announced today. The Butkus Award identifies the top linebacker in the nation.

The 51 linebackers named to the watch list is a nod to the storied “51” pro jersey won by the award’s namesake, the late Dick Butkus. His tenacious leadership from the middle linebacker position earned him acclaim by NFL Films as the greatest defensive player in football history.

Candidates for the collegiate Butkus Award represent 44 colleges and universities from across the country. The watch list by conference includes; Big Ten (16), SEC (12), ACC (7) and Big 12 (7), along with candidates from four other conferences and an independent program. Seven schools are represented by teammates, including Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, South Carolina and Utah.

Knight Jr., a 6-2, 243-pound sixth-year player from Locust Grove, Ga., is in his first season with the Gamecocks. He joined the squad in the spring after transferring from Charlotte, where he totaled 96 tackles a year ago while earning first-team All-AAC honors from the league’s coaches. Knight Jr. began his career at Georgia Tech, where he appeared in 36 games over four seasons.

Williams, a 6-1, 232-pound redshirt senior from Smyrna, Del., earned All-SEC honors in 2023 after leading the squad with 113 tackles, the most by a Gamecock since 2002 and the third-highest total in the league. He earned the Joe Morrison MVP award for the defense and was selected as a Rex Enright permanent team captain.

Award semi-finalists are expected to be named November 4, with finalists named November 25 and the winner named by December 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2024 Butkus Award winners at the high school, college and pro level will be honored at an event planned for early 2025 at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois as part of the Big Ten Network television special.

The 51-person Butkus Award selection committee comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process emphasizing qualities that defined Dick Butkus’ career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills. The Award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form.