On Tuesday, Penn State LB Curtis Jacobs was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which is given to the top linebacker in college football.

https://x.com/joesmeltzer775/status/1722040155530268987?s=20

Jacobs joins Ohio State’s Tommy Eichenberg, Texas’ Jaylen Ford, North Carolina’s Cedric Gray, Iowa’s Jay Higgins, Missouri’s TyRon Hopper, Alabama’s Deontae Lawson, Notre Dame’s Marist Liufau, Clemson’s Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Washington’s Edefuan Ulofoshio, Mississippi State’s Nathaniel Watson and NC State’s Payton Wilson.

Jacobs in his senior season has recorded 36 tackles (25 solo), five tackles for loss, four quarterback pressures and two fumble recoveries.

Jacobs has had his two most productive games in Penn State’s two most high-profile ones. On Sept. 2, he recorded a team-high 10 tackles in Penn State’s 38-15 win over West Virginia. On Oct. 21, Jacobs recorded nine tackles in its 20-12 loss at Ohio State.

Last Saturday, Jacobs recorded three tackles (1.5 tackles for loss) before exiting the game with an undisclosed injury.

Penn State has had two players win the award since its inception in 1985. LaVar Arrington won the award in 1999 and Paul Posluszny won the award in 2005.

Jacobs will have a chance to build his game with a big-time performance Saturday at Michigan.

X: @bwalkerdadon

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