Rodriguez Named a Butkus Award Semifinalist

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez is one of 16 national finalists for the 2021 Butkus Award, announced Monday by the Butkus Foundation.

A senior from Wagoner, Oklahoma, Rodriguez is one of three Big 12 semifinalists for the award, which is given annually to the best linebacker in the country.

Rodriguez is already a two-time All-Big 12 selection after leading OSU in tackles in both 2019 and 2020, and he was named the 2021 Associated Press Big 12 Defensive Player of the First Half of the Season in October. Entering the West Virginia game, he has received the No. 5 overall defensive grade among FBS linebackers with at least 50 plays this season according Pro Football Focus.

He is also the Big 12 leader and ranks No. 11 in the FBS with 9.8 tackles per game this season. For his career, he ranks No. 4 among all active FBS players with 218 solo stops and is No. 6 with 357 total tackles.

Other notes from Rodriguez’s career include him leading all Power Five linebackers in solo stops in 2020, being voted a team captain by his teammates, ranking No. 1 on the defense with 42 career starts and being named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice this season. Since being named a starter for the 2018 season, Rodriguez has recorded at least six tackles in 35 of his 45 games played. 35 such games ranks him No. 1 in the nation during that time frame.

Selection for the Butkus Award is handled by a panel of 51 coaches, recruiters, scouts and journalists who vote separately and confidentially using a 3-2-1 process. Finalists are expected to be announced November 22 and the winner will be announced on or before December 7.

The Butkus Award is partnering with Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, Rancho Mirage, Calif. to celebrate Butkus Award winners, with the event scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022.

Butkus Award Collegiate Semifinalists

• Christian Harris, Alabama
• Darien Butler, Arizona State
• Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati
• Nate Landman, Colorado
• Nakobe Dean, Georgia
• Jack Campbell, Iowa
• Damone Clark, LSU
• Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma
• Malcolm Rodriguez, Oklahoma State
• Noah Sewell, Oregon
• Brandon Smith, Penn State
• Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers
• DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
• Devin Lloyd, Utah
• Leo Chenal, Wisconsin
• Chad Muma, Wyoming