Justin Hilliard is one of four American Family Insurance ALL-USA players named as semifinalists for The Butkus Award, given to the top high school linebacker in the country. Gannett photo.
Malik Jefferson, Leo Lewis, Jeffery Holland and Justin Hilliard, four American Family Insurance ALL-USA preseason football players, were among the 15 high school linebackers named as semifinalists Monday for The Butkus Award, presented to the nation’s top high school linebacker.
The college Butkus Award also announced its semifinalists and the list included two former ALL-USA players: 2010 ALL-USA linebacker Stephone Anthony of Anson (Wadesboro, N.C.), now at Clemson; and 2011 ALL-USA defensive back Shaq Thompson of Grant Union (Sacramento), now a linebacker at Washington.
Last year’s Butkus Award winner, Raekwon McMillan of Liberty County (Hinesville, Ga.), was an ALL-USA postseason selection and is now a freshman linebacker at Ohio State.
The complete list of the 15 semifinalists, with their college choices:
- Jerome Baker, Benedictine (Cleveland), Ohio State
- Josh Barajas, Andrean (Merrillville,, Ind.), Notre Dame
- Mekhi Brown, Carver (Columbus, Ga.), Alabama
- Ricky DeBerry, Atlee (Mechanicsville, Va.), uncommitted
- Porter Gustin, Salem Hills (Salem, Utah), uncommitted
- Justin Hilliard, St. Xavier (Cincinnati), Ohio State
- Jeffery Holland, Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville), uncommitted
- John Houston, Junipero Serra (Gardena, Calif.), uncommitted
- Malik Jefferson, Ralph H. Poteet (Mesquite, Texas), uncommitted
- Leo Lewis, Brookhaven, Miss., Ole Miss
- Osa Masina, Brighton (Cottonwood Heights, Utah), uncommitted
- Joshua McMillon, Whitehaven (Memphis), Alabama
- Sherrod Pittman, First Coast (Jacksonville), South Carolina
- Jahvoni Simmons, Ocean Lakes (Virginia Beach), Virginia
- Adonis Thomas, Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville, Ga.), uncommitted.