Jordan Strachan Named to Butkus Award Watch List

University of South Carolina senior Jordan Strachan has been named to the Butkus Award® preseason watch list, it was announced today.

The Butkus Award®, now in its 37th season, annually honors the nation’s best linebacker. The watch list contains 51 linebackers, mirroring the legendary “51” pro jersey associated with the Award’s namesake, Dick Butkus, who was recognized by NFL Films as the best defensive player in football history.

Semifinalists are expected to be named Nov. 1, finalists on Nov. 22, and the winner on or before Dec. 7.

Formed in 1985, the Butkus Award® honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. Causes include Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative encouraging early cardiovascular screening among adults, and the I Play Clean® initiative encouraging athletes to train naturally without performance-enhancing drugs.

The Butkus Award is partnering with Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage to celebrate Butkus Award winners. The event is scheduled Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. Contact the Butkus Foundation for ticket and sponsorship information.

The Butkus Award® is presented by the Butkus Foundation and selected by a 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts and journalists. The award is part of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 800 recipients since 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org for more information.
 
Jordan Strachan
EDGE  |  6-5  |  246  |  R-SR  |  TR
Kingsland, Ga.
(Camden County/Georgia State)
 
Transfer from Georgia State where he was originally a walk-on for former Gamecock assistant coach Shawn Elliott… developed into a third-team All-Sun Belt Conference performer after leading the nation in sacks in 2020… enrolled at Carolina in January and went through spring drills, but was hampered by a hamstring injury… loves to work and has made a commitment to his craft… surname is pronounced STRAHN.
 
2020 (Redshirt Junior)
Returned to the lineup at outside linebacker after suffering a knee injury in 2019… earned third-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors… tied for first in FBS with a school-record 10.5 sacks… average of 1.05 sacks per game ranked seventh in the nation and fourth among players with at least six games played… also set the school record with 14.0 tackles for loss, ranking second in the Sun Belt with 1.4 TFLs per game… tied for the Sun Belt lead with two fumble recoveries and was second with three forced fumbles… part of a Georgia State defense that set a school record with 35 sacks… started all 10 games, totaling 41 tackles… made a big play at Arkansas State with a sack and forced fumble that teammate Blake Carroll picked up and returned 74 yards for a touchdown… named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week for the win at Troy after logging three tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble… got a strip-sack and recovered at the Troy 8-yard line to set up a TD and returned his other fumble recovery 63 yards… collected a career-high six tackles against Appalachian State… had two sacks and three tackles for loss at South Alabama… had a strip-sack, forcing a fumble that GSU recovered, with two minutes left against Georgia Southern to help seal the victory… finished the season with 1.5 sacks vs. WKU in the LendingTree Bowl victory… nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy… named to the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll in the spring.