Eric Kendricks Named a Butkus Award Finalist

LOS ANGELES – UCLA senior linebacker Eric Kendricks was named a finalist for the Butkus Award, the Butkus Foundation announced Monday morning. For his efforts against rival USC, he also garnered Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week accolades.

Kendricks leads the country in solo tackles and ranks fifth in the nation in total tackles. The Fresno, Calif., native has tallied 128 tackles on the season, including 89 solo stops and seven tackles for a loss. The 6-0 linebacker has also added two sacks, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Against rival USC, Kendricks led all players with 14 tackles, including 12 solo and one for a loss. Kendricks made arguably the play of the game with an acrobatic interception late in the second quarter. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honor is the second on the season for the linebacker.

Kendricks is only the third Bruin to record over 100 tackles in three straight seasons. He is only eight tackles away from tying Jerry Robinson’s career record of 468 tackles.

A winner for the Butkus Award will be named by December 9 by the independent panel of 51 recruiters, scouts, coaches and journalists. Selectors and selection criteria are posted at www.thebutkusaward.com.