Roquan Smith, Georgia Linebacker, Named Winner of 2017 Butkus Award

Roquan Smith was also named the MVP of the SEC Championship.
photo by Reann Huber

Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith was named the winner of the 2017 Butkus Award, given to the top linebacker in the nation, on Sunday, becoming the first player in Georgia history to do so.

A day after racking up 13 tackles and recovering two fumbles to lead Georgia's defense in a 28-7 win over Auburn in the SEC championship, as well as earning MVP honors in the game, the junior took 60 percent of the first place votes for the award.

So far in the 2017 season, Smith leads the team with 113 tackles while also recording 5.5 sacks.

The Montezuma, Ga., native was competing with four other finalists, Michigan's Devin Bush, Virginia Tech's Tremaine Edwards, Wisconsin's T.J.