PSU’s King Lands On Butkus Award Watch List
UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State redshirt junior linebacker Kobe King was named to the Butkus Award Watch List on Tuesday.
The Butkus Award, in its 40th year, is presented to the top linebacker in the country.
Kobe King · R-Jr. · LB · 6-1 · 251 · Detroit, Mich. · Cass Tech
Earned All-Big Ten honorable mention laurels from the coaches and media in 2023.
Has appeared in 30 career games, making 11 starts.
Owns 103 tackles (60 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and three pass breakups in Penn State career.
In 2023, posted 59 tackles (39 solo) to go with six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and one QB hurry, while starting 11 games at middle linebacker.
According to Pro Football Focus, led Big Ten linebackers with an 85.3 run defense grade (minimum 200 run defense snaps).
His 85.3 run defense grade ranked ninth among FBS linebackers and third among Power Four linebackers.
Finished third on the team with 27 solo tackles on run plays.
Secured four tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery at Illinois.
Tallied two tackles for loss and a sack at Northwestern.
Recorded nine tackles against Michigan.
Made a career-high 10 stops against Rutgers.
Notched five solo tackles, including a tackle for loss, against Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl.
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.
The 51 linebackers named to watch list, a nod to Butkus’ 51 jersey, will be trimmed to a semifinalist list on November 4. Finalists for the Butkus Award will be named on November 25 and the winner will be named on December 10.
Penn State Football Recognized On Preseason Watch Lists:
Drew Allar – Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award
Kaytron Allen – Doak Walker Award
Abdul Carter – Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, Nagurski Trophy, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award
Dani Dennis-Sutton – Lott IMPACT Trophy
Tyler Duzansky – Mannelly Award
Kobe King – Butkus Award
Chase Meyer – Lou Groza Award
Nicholas Singleton – Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award, Paul Hornung Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award
Riley Thompson – Ray Guy Award
Tyler Warren – Mackey Award
Kevin Winston Jr. – Bednarik Award
Sal Wormley – Outland Trophy
Penn State’s season opener at West Virginia on Aug. 31 will kick at noon on FOX. The Nittany Lions return 42 lettermen from last year’s squad – 17 on offense, 22 on defense and three on special teams and bring back 16 starters – seven on offense, seven on defense and two on special teams.
For club and ticket information for the 2024 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
