Oluwafemi Oladejo vs. Washington State 2023

Oladejo Named to Butkus Award Watch List

August 13, 2024 | Football

CHICAGO โ€“ Senior Oluwafemi Oladejo on the UCLA football team was one of 51 student-athletes named to the 2024 Butkus Award Watch List, it was announced Tuesday morning. The award is given annually to the top linebacker in the nation.
ย 
Oladejo recorded 54 tackles and two fumble recoveries in his first year in Westwood in 2023, appearing in all 13 games and making five starts. A native of Elk Grove, Calif., Oladejo ended last season on a high note with six stops in UCLA's LA Bowl win over Boise State on Dec. 16. He totaled a season-high 10 tackles in a road contest at Utah on Sept. 23. Oladejo also snagged one interception in a 25-17 win over Washington State in the Rose Bowl on Oct. 7.
ย 
Prior to UCLA, Oladejo played in 21 games in two seasons at California in 2022 and 2021. The 6-foot-3-inch, 250-pound linebacker ranked second on the Golden Bears' 2022 squad with 91 tackles.
ย 
Award semifinalists are expected to be named Nov. 4, with finalists named Nov. 25 and the winner named by Dec. 10. 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 as part of the Big Ten Network television special.

The Bruins' 2024 season will begin Saturday, Aug. 31 at 4:30 p.m. (PT), as UCLA travels to Honolulu to face Hawai'i. The contest will be televised on CBS. UCLA's home opener at The Rose Bowl features its first-ever Big Ten Conference matchup versus Indiana on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 4:30 p.m.
ย 
Eric Kendricks is the only Bruin to have won the Butkus Award in its 38-year history, taking home the honor in 2014.

TICKETS
Various ticket packages, including season, mini-plan and single-game tickets, for the Bruins' inaugural Big Ten season are now available. Fans can clickย HEREย or contact UCLA Athletics Sales and Service at (310) 206-5991 or via emailย at tickets@athletics.ucla.edu for more information on personalized ticket options.

Sign up for UCLA Athletics emailsย HEREย to stay up-to-date on inside information, ticket deals and more.
ย 

Players Mentioned

UCLA vs Michigan State Cinematic Recap
Monday, October 13
UCLA Football Media Availability - Coach Skipper (Oct. 13, 2025)
Monday, October 13
UCLA Football Postgame - Players, at Michigan State (Oct. 11, 2025)
Saturday, October 11
UCLA Football Postgame - Players, at Michigan State (Oct. 11, 2025)
Saturday, October 11