Bruin redshirt senior linebacker Darius Muasau was named to the watch list for the Butkus Award in an announcement by the award's selection panel on Thursday. The award recognizes the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
Muasau, who played his first season as a Bruin in 2022 after transferring from Hawai'i, started all 13 games at inside linebacker and led the team in tackles (91). He rated 10th in the Pac-12 with an average of 7.0 stops per game and was credited with at least four stops in 10 games. Muasau had a season-best 14 tackles against Pittsburgh in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and was also credited with double-digit tackles at Arizona State (12) and South Alabama (10). He added 2.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack in the win over ASU. Muasau made interceptions against Utah and Stanford and forced a key fourth down fumble in the win over Utes. Following the season, he was named second-team All-Pac-12 by the league coaches and third-team all-league by Pro Football Focus.
The Butkus Award has honored the nation's best linebacker since 1985 and is named for Dick Butkus, whom NFL Films considers the best defensive player in the football history. Bruin Eric Kendricks, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, became UCLA's first winner of the award following the 2014 season.
The award semifinalists are expected to be named Oct. 30 with finalists to follow Nov. 20. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 6. "I am always excited about seeing our great watch list players on the field," said Dick Butkus, the College and Pro Football Hall of Famer. "When an outstanding player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things: First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America; Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand this recognition brings a responsibility of giving back." All 2023 Butkus Award winners will be honored at a televised event in Jan. 2024.
The Bruins open the 2023 season on Sept 2 in the Rose Bowl Stadium against Coastal Carolina. The ESPN broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. Following a trip to play at San Diego State on Sept. 9, the Bruins will host North Carolina Central at 2 p.m. in Pasadena. The Pac-12 Networks will televise that contest.
Muasau, who played his first season as a Bruin in 2022 after transferring from Hawai'i, started all 13 games at inside linebacker and led the team in tackles (91). He rated 10th in the Pac-12 with an average of 7.0 stops per game and was credited with at least four stops in 10 games. Muasau had a season-best 14 tackles against Pittsburgh in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and was also credited with double-digit tackles at Arizona State (12) and South Alabama (10). He added 2.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack in the win over ASU. Muasau made interceptions against Utah and Stanford and forced a key fourth down fumble in the win over Utes. Following the season, he was named second-team All-Pac-12 by the league coaches and third-team all-league by Pro Football Focus.
The Butkus Award has honored the nation's best linebacker since 1985 and is named for Dick Butkus, whom NFL Films considers the best defensive player in the football history. Bruin Eric Kendricks, now with the Los Angeles Chargers, became UCLA's first winner of the award following the 2014 season.
The award semifinalists are expected to be named Oct. 30 with finalists to follow Nov. 20. The winner will be named on or before Dec. 6. "I am always excited about seeing our great watch list players on the field," said Dick Butkus, the College and Pro Football Hall of Famer. "When an outstanding player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things: First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America; Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand this recognition brings a responsibility of giving back." All 2023 Butkus Award winners will be honored at a televised event in Jan. 2024.
The Bruins open the 2023 season on Sept 2 in the Rose Bowl Stadium against Coastal Carolina. The ESPN broadcast begins at 7:30 p.m. Following a trip to play at San Diego State on Sept. 9, the Bruins will host North Carolina Central at 2 p.m. in Pasadena. The Pac-12 Networks will televise that contest.