University Southern California Trojans
Hayes Pullard Named Butkus Award Semifinalist
October 27, 2014 | Football
USC senior inside linebacker Hayes Pullard has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
Pullard has a team-high 59 tackles in 2014, including 2.5 for losses, plus 5 deflections. The 3-year starter, who has 341 career tackles, led the Trojans in stops in 2011 and 2013. He is looking to be the first Trojan since Dennis Johnson in 1977-79 to lead USC in tackles for 3 seasons. He is a 2-time USC team captain (2013 and 2014).
Finalists for the Butkus Award will be named Nov. 24 and the winner by December 9 by an independent panel of 51 recruiters, scouts, coaches and journalists. The award, named after ex-Illinois and Chicago Bear linebacking great Dick Butkus, is presented by the Butkus Foundation.
Chris Claiborne in 1998 is USC's only recipient of the Butkus Award.
