Trending
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State senior linebacker Kooper Ebel was selected to the Butkus Award watch list on Thursday.
The Butkus Award, in its 42nd year, is presented to the top linebacker in the country.
Kooper Ebel · Sr. · LB · 6-4 · 233 · Hartley, Iowa · Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn · Iowa State
Earned CSC Academic All-District honors in 2024.
Tabbed Academic All-Big 12 in 2024.
Has played in 34 games and made 27 starts in his career.
Has collected 149 tackles (73 solo), 14 tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble and three pass breakups.
In 2025, posted 77 tackles (38 solo), eight tackles for loss, one sack and three pass breakups.
Registered 69 tackles (32 solo), six tackles for loss and one sack in 2024.
The Butkus Award is named in honor of the late Dick Butkus. The 51-person Butkus Award selection committee, comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists, guides the selection process, emphasizing qualities that defined Dick Butkus' career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills. The award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball, on their feet, in a two-point stance in traditional form.
Semifinalists for the Butkus Award will be announced on October 28 and finalists on November 20. The winner will be revealed during the week of December 7.
Nittany Lions On Award Watch Lists
Ryan Barker – Groza
Rocco Becht – Maxwell
Benjamin Brahmer – Lombardi, Mackey
Gabe Burkle – Mackey
Cooper Cousins – Wuerffel Trophy
Kooper Ebel – Butkus
Brock Riker – Rimington Trophy
Tony Rojas – Lott IMPACT Trophy
Blaise Sokach-Minnick – Mannelly