As the Clemson Tigers head into a big game in Week 14 against the South Carolina Gamecocks, one of their veterans found out he had been nominated as one of the best players at his position. Week 14 is going to be a massive showdown for rivalry week,

Georgia Sports Information Georgia junior linebacker Jalon Walker has been named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award given to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker, according to an announcement from the Butkus Foundation.

The Sooners' senior linebacker is among the nation's leaders in tackles and was one of five finalists named for this year's trophy.

The SEC has a tradition of excellence at the linebacker position, which has clearly continued in 2024. When the list of finalists was released on Monday morning, the SEC had its fingerprints all over it, with Ole Miss’s Chris Paul Jr., Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman and Georgia’s Jalon Walker all in the mix.

For his efforts in 2024, Stutsman has been named a Butkus Award Finalist. The award is given to the best linebacker in the nation. Stutsman was named alongside Barrett Carter of Clemson, Chris Paul Jr. of Ole Miss, Carson Schwesinger of UCLA, and Jalon Walker of Georgia.

Stutsman one of five finalists for the prestigious 40th annual Butkus Award, which honors the nation's top linebacker.