Jamon Dumas-Johnson, D’Eryk Jackson on Butkus Award Watch List
Kentucky seniors Jamon Dumas-Johnson (pronounced “jah-MON”) and D’Eryk Jackson both were named to the 40th annual Butkus Award Watch List identifying the nation’s top linebacker, it was announced Tuesday. Kentucky is one of seven schools to have multiple players on the list, which features 51 players in a nod to Butkus’ famed “51” jersey number.
The 51-person Butkus Award selection committee comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process emphasizing qualities that defined Dick Butkus’ career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills. The Award is increasingly focused on recognizing linebackers who consistently play off the ball on their feet in a two-point stance in traditional form. Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family.
Dumas-Johnson, a 6-foot-1, 245-pound inside linebacker from Hyattsville, Maryland, transferred to Kentucky in 2024 after three seasons at Georgia. He played in 38 career games and helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022.
He had started in 24 straight games for the Dawgs, including all nine in 2023, before suffering a broken left forearm (radius bone) in a win over Missouri. After surgery on Nov. 7, Dumas-Johnson missed the remainder of the season and transferred to Kentucky in January of 2024. He returned to action on March 19, 2024, and participated in UK’s spring practice.
Before his injury, he totaled 34 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a quarterback hurry and earned a spot on several national watch lists, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Butkus Award and the Lombardi Award. He also was selected to the Associated Press Preseason All-America First Team and The Sporting News Preseason All-America First Team.
Jackson, a 6-1, 246-pound senior from Dublin, Georgia, has led Kentucky in tackles the last two seasons, including 81 tackles in 2023. He covered the stat sheet, recording 6.5 tackles for loss (-20 yards), three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, two interceptions (29 yards), a sack (-6 yards) and a forced fumble. His first interception of the season came in Kentucky’s conference opening win at Vanderbilt, when not only did he intercept the pass but then lateraled the ball to teammate Andru Phillips who returned it 50 yards to set up a touchdown. His second interception came on a 26-yard return for a touchdown in Kentucky’s win at Mississippi State.
Award semi-finalists are expected to be named November 4, with finalists named November 25 and the winner named by December 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2024 Butkus Award winners at the high school, college and pro level will be honored at an event planned for early 2025 at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois as part of the Big Ten Network television special.
