TicketsCINCINNATI – Cincinnati redshirt senior linebacker Jake Golday has been named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award.
Golday is one of 12 linebackers across the country named a semifinalist for the award, and one of two from the Big 12 Conference.
The Arlington, Tenn. native has been a force on defense for the Bearcats this year. His 80 tackles are tied for the most in the Big 12, and he 25th nationally in tackles per game (8.9). Golday has logged 3.5 sacks, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble as well.
Golday is a two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week recipient, earning the award after the Nebraska and Iowa State games, and he has led Cincinnati in tackles six times this year. He has four double-digit tackle games, including a career-best 14 vs. Bowling Green.
Golday joined the program prior to the 2024 season after transferring in from Central Arkansas and made an immediate impact. He ranked second on the team with 58 tackles last year and was named honorable mention All-Big 12.
BUTKUS AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
C.J. Allen, Georgia
Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
Aiden Fisher, Indiana
Jake Golday, Cincinnati
Anthony Hill, Texas
Deontae Lawson, Alabama
Red Murdock, Buffalo
Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Kam Robinson, Virginia
Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
Sonny Styles, Ohio State
ABOUT THE BUTKUS AWARD
Instituted in 1985, The Butkus Award® is one of the elite individual honors, originally given each year to one player in college football: the most impactful linebacker in the game. In 2008, The Butkus Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, took stewardship of the award to fully realize the original purpose of honoring athletic achievement and service to the community. Since that time, the award has honored the nation’s best high school, college, and professional linebackers. An independent Butkus Award Selection Committee conducts the selection process each year. The committee is comprised of 51 experts, including professional, college, and high school scouts, and prominent sports journalists.