Photo by: Adam Obirek
Fatukasi Named to Butkus Award Watch List
Jul 26 | Football
Linebacker led the Big Ten with 101 tackles in 2020
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi earned a spot on the Butkus Award watch list released Monday. A semifinalist last season, the award honors the nation's top linebacker. Fatukasi was also recently named to the Bednarik Award watch list.
Fatukasi paced the Big Ten with 101 tackles in 2020, ranking ninth nationally with 11.2 per game for the best average by a Scarlet Knight since 1999. The New York native also led the team and placed second in the conference with 11.0 tackles-for-loss. He posted six games with double-figure stops, reaching 17 versus Michigan and Penn State.
Fatukasi was voted First Team All-Big Ten by the media and served as a captain for the Scarlet Knights.
Semifinalists for the Butkus Award are expected to be announced Nov. 1.
Under the direction of head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers matched its program high with three Big Ten victories in 2020. The Scarlet Knights had 14 players recognized in the All-Big Ten voting, the most for the program since joining the league. In addition, RU posted a team-best 26.7 points per game in a Big Ten season, a gain of 13.4 points per game from the previous season for the fourth-best improvement nationally. The defense collected 19 takeaways and led the conference with 7.8 tackles-for-loss, while the kick return units were one of four nationally with at least three kick return touchdowns. Academically, Rutgers saw 46 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big Ten honors, a program high.
Rutgers opens the season Sept. 2 versus Temple at SHI Stadium in a game presented by PNC. Click here for information on season tickets.
Fatukasi paced the Big Ten with 101 tackles in 2020, ranking ninth nationally with 11.2 per game for the best average by a Scarlet Knight since 1999. The New York native also led the team and placed second in the conference with 11.0 tackles-for-loss. He posted six games with double-figure stops, reaching 17 versus Michigan and Penn State.
Fatukasi was voted First Team All-Big Ten by the media and served as a captain for the Scarlet Knights.
Semifinalists for the Butkus Award are expected to be announced Nov. 1.
Under the direction of head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers matched its program high with three Big Ten victories in 2020. The Scarlet Knights had 14 players recognized in the All-Big Ten voting, the most for the program since joining the league. In addition, RU posted a team-best 26.7 points per game in a Big Ten season, a gain of 13.4 points per game from the previous season for the fourth-best improvement nationally. The defense collected 19 takeaways and led the conference with 7.8 tackles-for-loss, while the kick return units were one of four nationally with at least three kick return touchdowns. Academically, Rutgers saw 46 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big Ten honors, a program high.
Rutgers opens the season Sept. 2 versus Temple at SHI Stadium in a game presented by PNC. Click here for information on season tickets.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.03 has been named to the Butkus Award watchlist.
— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) July 26, 2021
The award is given to the nations best linebacker. @o_threee | #CHOP pic.twitter.com/5hu6WsR0rj
Players Mentioned
LB
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Defensive Coordinator Travis Johansen - 03/31/26
Tuesday, March 31
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Kirk Ciarrocca - 03/28/26
Saturday, March 28
Head Coach Greg Schiano Spring Press Conference - 03/27/26
Friday, March 27
