Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech linebacker Sam Brumfield has been named to the watch list for the Dick Butkus Award which goes to the nation's top linebacker.
Brumfield (5-11, 225) joined the Hokies in the spring after spending the 2023 season at Middle Tennessee State. The Pearl, Mississippi product played in 12 games, starting 10 for the Blue Raiders last season, leading all linebackers with 642 snaps. Brumfield was the team's leading tacklers with 81, including 6.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks. He also tallied two forced fumbles and a team-best eight quarterback hurries, earning a grade of 73.0 from Pro Football Focus.
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.
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.