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Jack Campbell has candid reaction to winning Butkus Award: ‘I’m at a loss for words right now honestly’

Scott Green

By Scott Green

Published:

Jack Campbell was awarded the Butkus Award as the nation’s best linebacker for his performance this season with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Campbell recorded a total of 115 tackles, 51 solo tackles and 2 interceptions.

Campbell thought he was having a normal interview. Campbell was asked about what it was like to be a finalist when he was given the award. The Iowa LB’s reaction was about as candid as it gets during the phone call with former Illinois great Dick Butkus.

“I’m at a loss for words right now honestly. I really appreciate the honor. No one will ever be able to live up to your footsteps and I just appreciate you paving the way for young linebackers to get to experience this. It’s just such a blessing to be here and be with my family.”

Football Outsider’s FEI Defense rating system is considered one of the best statistical measurements of a team’s performance and this year the Hawkeyes have been ranked 2nd in the nation for their 2022 defense. With players like Campbell, Iowa has been able to hold opponents to a 14.42 points per game.

Campbell will likely be one of the first linebackers taken in the 2023 NFL Draft after the career he’s had.

Scott Green

Scott Green has been covering and following college football since 2017. After primarily covering the Georgia Bulldogs, Scott began to branch out and build relationships with other national media members. He played football and graduated from the LaGrange College in 2014. He currently is enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard after deploying with them in 2019 to Afghanistan.