Ryan Named Butkus Award Semifinalist
10/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan football senior Jake Ryan has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, it was announced Monday (Oct. 27). Ryan is the only semifinalist from the Big Ten for the award presented to the nation's best collegiate linebacker.
Ryan has recorded a team-leading 68 tackles, including a team-high 10.0 for loss with 2.0 sacks and two pass breakups this season. The senior from Westlake, Ohio, is tied for third in the Big Ten in total tackles-for-loss and ranks 10th in the conference with his average of 8.5 tackles per game. He has four games with double-digit tackles this season, including a career-high 13 stops against Utah. Ryan was named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week after recording 10 tackles, including a season-high 3.0 for loss, in Michigan's 18-13 win over Penn State.
In his career, Ryan has registered 223 tackles, including 41.5 for loss with 9.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and six pass breakups. His 41.5 tackles-for-loss rank him ninth on U-M's all-time career list, and his five forced fumbles are tied for seventh in school history. He has recorded at least one tackle-for-loss in 30 of his last 38 games.
The Butkus Award has been presented each year since 1985 to college football's best linebacker. Former Wolverine Erick Anderson won the award in 1991. Finalists for this year's award are set to be announced Nov. 24, with the winners selected by Dec. 9 by an independent panel of 51 recruiters, scouts, coaches and journalists.
Michigan continues its season on Saturday (Nov. 1) when it hosts Indiana for Homecoming. The Wolverines and Hoosiers are set for a 3:30 p.m. start on Big Ten Network.
Media Contact: Derek Satterfield (734) 647-1192
