The Butkus Foundation began the selection process for the 2011 Butkus Award with an announcement of 51 college and 51 high school candidates. The Butkus Award honors linebackers at the NFL, college and high school levels. This year's college list includes Cal's Mychal Kendricks and Stanford's Shayne Skov. The high school list includes Mike Barton of Concord De La Salle High School and Hardy Nickerson of Oakland's Bishop O'Dowd High School.
↵Mychael Kendricks will look to build on a strong junior season in which he he was fourth on the Bears in total tackles with 66 and led the team with 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss. Shayne Skov led the Cardinal with 84 total tackles and tied Chase Thomas for the team lead with 7.5 sacks. He was second on the team with 10.5 tackles for a loss.
↵The Bay Area has brought home the Butkus Award in the past as 49ers LB Patrick Willis won the NFL version in 2009. This made him the only player to win the award in two different categories as he also won the college version in 2006 while at Ole Miss.