Redshirt senior inside linebacker Eric Kendricks was passed over for a spot on the All-Pac-12 first-team last week. As a consolation prize, Kendricks simply won the Butkus Award for the nation’s best linebacker, announced Tuesday.
Kendricks took to Twitter to express his gratitude, tweeting, “Overwhelmed with joy. This is for all my underdogs out there! Thanks family/friends/teammates/coaches/BUTKUS/UCLA.”
Kendricks led the nation in solo tackles with 96 and was fifth in total tackles with 139. He also added 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown.
This season, Kendricks also became UCLA’s career leading tackler, passing Jerry Robinson on the all-time list.
Kendricks was given the award at a surprise ceremony at UCLA on Tuesday, having narrowly beat out Miami senior Denzel Perryman. The other two finalists were Washington senior Hau’oli Kikaha and Notre Dame sophomore Jalyon Smith.
“(Kendricks) has been overlooked much of his career despite being an extremely productive tackling machine and opportunistic playmaker against the run and pass,” said the Butkus Award selection committee in a statement. “His exceptional instincts, motor, toughness and football intelligence distinguished his play. His integrity, selflessness and leadership embody what the Butkus Award represents.”
The committee also praised Kendricks’ instincts in coverage, his ability to diagnose plays, his sideline-to-sideline pursuit and his leadership as a two-time captain.
Kendricks is the first UCLA player to win the Butkus Award.
Compiled by Kevin Bowman, Bruin Sports senior staff.