Junior linebacker Aiden Fisher named Butkus Award Semifinalist

Junior linebacker Aiden Fisher has been named one of the 15 semifinalists as revealedtoday by the Butkus Foundation on Monday.

Fisher ranks No. 17 nationally and No. 3 in the Big Ten with a team-best 84 tackles. That total includes 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks on the season. He has added three pass breakups, including one that led to an interception in Week 10 at Michigan State.The junior has at least eight tackles in eight of nine games in 2024, which includes three double-digit tackle games.

Fisher is a 6-foot-1, 233-pound linebacker who transferred to Indiana this offseason after two seasons at James Madison, where he played for the Hoosiers' new head coach Curt Cignetti and defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Bryant Haines.

After making just five tackles as a true freshman in 2022, Fisher had a breakout sophomore season in 2023 with the Dukes. He led James Madison with 108 total tackles, seven pass breakups, six tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one interception. 

Finalists will be named November 25 and the winner named by December 10.A Butkus Award celebration is planned for Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Memorial Stadium on the University of Illinois campus, where the late Dick Butkus established his legendary career. More information atwww.butkusfoundation.org.