WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue junior Markus Bailey is one of 10 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, presented annually to the best linebacker in college football.
Bailey leads the Boilermakers and ranks fifth in the Big Ten Conference with 69 tackles (45 solo and 24 assists). He is tied for second on the team with 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks and has two pass breakups, one interception and one fumble forced. Bailey paced Purdue with 97 tackles in 2016 and ranked second with 89 stops last season.
In the Boilermakers' 49-20 win over second-ranked and undefeated Ohio State on Oct. 20, Bailey, a native of Columbus, Ohio, recorded a career-high 15 tackles, the most by a Purdue player since defensive end Anthony Spencer had 15 at Notre Dame on Sept. 30, 2006. Bailey also returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown against the Buckeyes.
Joining Bailey as semifinalists are Josh Allen (Kentucky), Devin Bush (Michigan), Ryan Connelly (Wisconsin), Tre Lamar (Clemson), David Long Jr. (West Virginia), Dylan Moses (Alabama), Josiah Tauaefa (UTSA), Devin White (LSU) and Mack Wilson (Alabama).
The award is named for legendary linebacker Dick Butkus.
Bailey leads the Boilermakers and ranks fifth in the Big Ten Conference with 69 tackles (45 solo and 24 assists). He is tied for second on the team with 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks and has two pass breakups, one interception and one fumble forced. Bailey paced Purdue with 97 tackles in 2016 and ranked second with 89 stops last season.
In the Boilermakers' 49-20 win over second-ranked and undefeated Ohio State on Oct. 20, Bailey, a native of Columbus, Ohio, recorded a career-high 15 tackles, the most by a Purdue player since defensive end Anthony Spencer had 15 at Notre Dame on Sept. 30, 2006. Bailey also returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown against the Buckeyes.
Joining Bailey as semifinalists are Josh Allen (Kentucky), Devin Bush (Michigan), Ryan Connelly (Wisconsin), Tre Lamar (Clemson), David Long Jr. (West Virginia), Dylan Moses (Alabama), Josiah Tauaefa (UTSA), Devin White (LSU) and Mack Wilson (Alabama).
The award is named for legendary linebacker Dick Butkus.