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The University of Utah Athletics
Barton Named to Butkus Award Watchlist
7/30/2025 10:00 AM | Football
Award given annually to nation’s top linebacker
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah senior linebacker Lander Barton has been named to the Butkus Award Watchlist, the Butkus Foundation announced on Wednesday.
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The Butkus award honors the nation's top linebacker and will be awarded for the 41st time in 2025. Barton is one of 51 players to make the watchlist, honoring the iconic No. 51 jersey worn by Dick Butkus during his Hall of Fame career.
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Barton has played in 33 career games with 22 starts and was named 2022 CFN Freshman All-America, while earning Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors.
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The Cottonwood Heights native started at linebacker in all 12 games in 2024, totaling a team-best 72 tackles (5.0 TFL) plus six passes defended (2 INT, 4 PBU) and one fumble recovery.
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Butkus Award semifinalists will be named Nov. 4 with finalists announced Nov. 25. The winner will be revealed by Dec. 10.
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Lander Barton 2025 Preseason Honors (as of July 30)
- Butkus Award Watchlist (7/30)
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here. Â
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The Butkus award honors the nation's top linebacker and will be awarded for the 41st time in 2025. Barton is one of 51 players to make the watchlist, honoring the iconic No. 51 jersey worn by Dick Butkus during his Hall of Fame career.
Â
Barton has played in 33 career games with 22 starts and was named 2022 CFN Freshman All-America, while earning Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Â
The Cottonwood Heights native started at linebacker in all 12 games in 2024, totaling a team-best 72 tackles (5.0 TFL) plus six passes defended (2 INT, 4 PBU) and one fumble recovery.
Â
Butkus Award semifinalists will be named Nov. 4 with finalists announced Nov. 25. The winner will be revealed by Dec. 10.
Â
Lander Barton 2025 Preseason Honors (as of July 30)
- Butkus Award Watchlist (7/30)
FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here. Â
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Players Mentioned
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