The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Robinson named Butkus Award Semifinalist
10.24.2011 | Football
Oct. 24, 2011
Austin -- Texas Longhorns senior LB Keenan Robinson was named a 2011 Butkus Award Semifinalist the Butkus Foundation announced today.
The award, which honors former University of Illinois and Chicago Bears LB Dick Butkus, a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding linebacker.
Selectors will choose the best overall linebacker from the 12 semifinalists, with primary consideration given to performance on the field and the athlete's overall character.
Robinson is a fifth-year linebacker who has played in 44 games, including 32 starts at outside linebacker and has posted 253 tackles (142 solo), 4.5 sacks, 16 TFL, eight pressures, two INTs, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and 10 PBU for his career.
This season, Robinson has 42 tackles, one TFL, three PBU, seven QBP and one caused fumble. In 2010, he started all 12 games at linebacker and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection when he posted 113 tackles (61 solo), eight TFL, two sacks, two INTs, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, two PBU and one TD. Robinson is also a three-time member of UT's Athletics Director's Honor Roll.
Robinson was also named to the Bednarik Award watch list (most outstanding defensive player presented by the Maxwell Football Club) on July 5, the Nagurski Trophy watch list (most outstanding defensive player presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club) on July 8 and the Lombardi Award watch list (nation's college lineman of the year presented by the Rotary Lombardi Award Committee) on July 12.
Robinson was also semifinalist for the Butkus Award in 2010.
Former Texas LB Derrick Johnson won the Butkus in 2004, was a finalist in 2003 and a semifinalist in 2002. Linebacker Sergio Kindle was a finalist in 2009 and LB D.D. Lewis was a semifinalist in 2001.
Current Texas sophomore LB Jordan Hicks won the high school Butkus Award in 2009.
The 2011 Butkus Award will be presented to the recipient on his own campus in early December. More information is at www.thebutkusaward.com
