Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher has been named to the 2025 Dick Butkus Award Preseason Watch List, presented annually to the nation's best linebacker, announced Thursday by the Butkus Foundation.
Aiden Fisher has had an unbelievable first season as a Hoosier after transferring from James Madison. Fisher was named First Team All-American by the (FWAA) Football Writers Association of America, First Team All-Big Ten, Butkus Award Semi-Finalist, Capital One Orange Bowl and FWAA Courage Award Nominee.
He also led the Hoosiers with 118 total tackles, which ranked third in the Big Ten Conference, 1.5 sacks, and 5.5 tackles for loss. Fisher became the program’s first-ever first-team All-American linebacker in school history.
Fisher led Indiana to an 11-2 record and College Football Playoff berth in 2024 but wants more for his team and his leadership always shines through, not just for the defense but the whole entire Indiana football team
“There's a lot of things that I want to work on as a player myself. My pass coverage and pass rush, my run defense. I just want to keep improving. Make any weaknesses that I've had and make them strengths and then reflect it on the young guys,” Fisher said.
"“We're at ground zero right now. You have zero stats as you come in. So just set the tone for this team. Make sure we know that we have a long way to go, but we're going to get there,” Fisher told Hoosiers on SI "
Last seasons winner was Jalon Walker, the former Georgia Bulldog went on to be a first round NFL Draft selection by the Atlanta Falcons.
Semifinalists will be named Nov. 4, finalists Nov. 25, and the winner will be revealed by Dec. 10. The 2025 winner will be honored at a ceremony at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in early 2026.
The 51-member selection committee, comprised of coaches, scouts, and journalists, evaluates candidates based on the qualities that defined Butkus' career: toughness, leadership, competitiveness, football character, and traditional linebacking skills.