CHICAGO — BYU linebacker Cade Uluave was today named a semifinalist for the 2026 Butkus Award, presented annually by the Butkus Foundation to the nation’s outstanding collegiate linebacker. The 15 semifinalists were selected through a national evaluation process involving a committee of coaches, scouts and football journalists.
Uluave, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior from South Jordan, Utah, leads BYU in tackles with 45 and quarterback hurries with four. He has also recorded an interception, 3.5 tackles for loss and a half a sack.
In BYU’s 28-24 win over No. 2 ranked Notre Dame on Nov. 17, Uluave recorded a team-high nine tackles, including six solo on his way to being named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week. He also had a season-high three quarterback hurries and a tackle for loss in the game.
Prior to the 2026 season, Uluave was selected as a candidate for the Butkus Award, Lombardi Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy. He was also named preseason All-America by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports as well as Preseason All-Big 12 by the conference, Phil Steele and Athlon Sports.
Established in 1985 and named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, the award recognizes excellence at linebacker, a position he helped define. Finalists for the 2026 Butkus Award will be announced on Nov. 20, with the Butkus Award winner named the week of Dec. 7.
| Butkus Award Semifinalists | |
| Maverick Baranowski | Minnesota |
| Rasheem Biles | Texas |
| Drayk Bowen | Notre Dame |
| Sammy Brown | Clemson |
| Cam Buffington | Iowa |
| Arion Carter | Tennessee |
| Chris Cole | Georgia |
| Owen Heineke | Oklahoma |
| Derek McDonald | North Carolina |
| Sammy Omosigho | UCLA |
| Mason Posa | Wisconsin |
| Ben Roberts | Texas Tech |
| Nicholas Rodriguez | Missouri |
| Tony Rojas | Penn State |
| Cade Uluave | BYU |