logo
Pair of Oklahoma Sooners named to Butkus Award watch list

Pair of Oklahoma Sooners named to Butkus Award watch list

USA Today01-08-2025
The Oklahoma Sooners have a defense that is ready to contend in the SEC. It's a group full of blue-chip players at every level of the defense. Although the Sooners will be replacing star linebacker Danny Stutsman, they've got a good group of linebackers that have been in Brent Venables ' program for several years now.
On Wednesday, a pair of Sooners were named to the Butkus Award watch list: Kip Lewis and Sammy Omosigho. The Butkus Award is given to college football's top linebacker.
Lewis was also named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list earlier this week. He's going into his fourth season with the Sooners and has become one of the best players on the defense over the last several years with his penchant for big plays. Lewis' speed and athleticism have made him a nightmare in coverage. In 2024, Lewis returned an interception for a touchdown in Oklahoma's wins over Auburn and Alabama. Lewis finished last season with 65 total tackles and four tackles for loss.
Omosigho is every bit the athlete that Lewis is. The former four-star prospect is in a camp battle with fellow former four-star Kobie McKinzie. Omosigho saw 301 snaps last season and was fifth on the team with 39 total tackles. He also had five tackles for loss, a pass defensed, and a forced fumble in a rotational role for the Sooners.
Oklahoma has taken home the Butkus Award four times. Brian Bosworth, the only two-time winner of the award, earned the honor back in 1985 and 1986. Rocky Calmus won the Butkus in 2001 and Teddy Lehman won it in 2003.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Real American Freestyle announces apparel partnership with Takedown, talks with Gable Steveson
Real American Freestyle announces apparel partnership with Takedown, talks with Gable Steveson

Yahoo

time23 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Real American Freestyle announces apparel partnership with Takedown, talks with Gable Steveson

Real American Freestyle wrestling announced a partnership with Takedown apparel on Tuesday and said it is in talks with Gable Steveson, one of Takedown's most prominent endorsers, about a possible rematch with Wyatt Hendrickson. Hendrickson, who stunned Steveson to win the 285-pound national title at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships in March, will headline Real American Freestyle's inaugural event Aug. 30 in Cleveland. Hendrickson's victory over Minnesota's Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist in Tokyo, drew national attention beyond the sport. The Oklahoma State wrestler's dramatic late takedown in the final gave him the 5-4 win, closed out a 27-0 season and ended Steveson's win streak at 70 matches. Steveson already has a line of apparel with Takedown — one of many reasons Chad Bronstein, RAF's co-founder and CEO, believes Steveson would be a natural fit. 'There's no signed contract, but we've been in conversation,' he said. Hulk Hogan, Real American Freestyle's honorary commissioner who died July 24, told The Associated Press in April the league was in talks with Hendrickson. It signed him a little more than a month later. The partnership with Takedown is RAF's first official apparel collection. It will include looks worn by athletes in and out of competition. Bronstein said the partnership is a step toward building a professional freestyle wrestling ecosystem. The line will deliver a new revenue stream for competitors beyond live events. 'I think we're going to do really well in the merch game,' he said. 'We're going to sell a lot of good apparel and just keep being edgy with it. We'll have street wear and then the sports wear. So you'll have the typical, but we also are developing a street wear line too.' Takedown CEO and founder Dustin Kawa said it's a significant moment for his company. 'Both brands share a deep love for wrestling and a commitment to fighting for the sport, the athletes, and the community that raised us. Now is our time to make history – together,' he said. ___ AP sports:

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore signs with Beats by Dre as part of 2025 'Beats Elite' class
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore signs with Beats by Dre as part of 2025 'Beats Elite' class

USA Today

time24 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore signs with Beats by Dre as part of 2025 'Beats Elite' class

Though Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore has yet to officially be named the starter for this upcoming season, he was recently announced as part of Beats by Dre's 2025 "Beats Elite" class. The honorable NIL deal comprised of nine players in total, including some of the biggest names in college football such as Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers and others. It's a high honor for Moore to be on this last after spending last season as the Ducks' backup, reflecting the expectations he faces this season as the former five-star recruit attempts to resurrect his college career after disappointing with the UCLA Bruins as a freshman in 2023. During that season, Moore started five games, completing just 53.5% of his passes for 1,610 yards and with an 11:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio. But heading into 2025 at Oregon, the quarterback job is his to lose. Moore's name being mentioned amongst the best in college football is a huge honor, and he'll have a chance to prove he belongs in the upper echelon of stars this fall. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.

Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has high praise for Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman
Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has high praise for Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman

USA Today

time24 minutes ago

  • USA Today

Former LSU head coach Ed Orgeron has high praise for Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman

It's one thing for analysts to praise the work you have done, its entirely another when someone in the coaching fraternity does, and that's what happened recently with Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman. Former national championship winning LSU head coach Ed Orgeron was recently on the Pardon My Take podcast, when the conversation turned to the Irish and Freeman. He went on to say that 'I love the coach at Notre Dame. I'm good friends with him, I've been there a couple of times. He's a great guy, the players love him. He runs a tough practice.' It's pretty telling the praise that Orgeron has for Freeman, as he knows exactly what a championship-level program looks like, and there is one brewing in South Bend. It's only a matter of time until the Irish break through and end their title drought, and we could see Orgeron celebrating that victory. He also mentioned Notre Dame's Week 1 opponent Miami, and said the their head coach Mario Cristobal 'has done a tremendous job. The talent level at Miami, that he's brought through is phenomenal.' It's going to be quite the season opener in under two weeks. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store