MSU’s McKinney Named Butkus Award Semifinalist

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – One week after picking up midseason All-America honors by five different media outlets, Mississippi State football linebacker Benardrick McKinney was one of 15 players named a Butkus Award semifinalist, the Butkus Foundation announced Monday. Since 1985, the award has been presented annually to the nation’s best linebacker.

McKinney is the leading tackler on the top-ranked Bulldogs, tallying 45 stops in seven starts with 6.0 tackles for loss, three sacks, three fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.

(HailState.com)

The captain of MSU’s defense is a key reason why the Maroon and White lead the FBS in red-zone defense (14 scores in 23 attempts) and rank in the top-25 nationally in fewest points allowed (T-24th, 151), fewest rushing yards allowed (19th, 826), tackles for loss (T-17th, 57.0) and sacks (T-5th, 28.0).

An independent selection committee comprised of 51 experts, including professional, college and high school scouts, as prominent sports journalists, conduct the selection process. Finalists will be named Nov. 24.

McKinney and the nation’s number one team return home this Saturday against Arkansas for a 6:15 p.m. CT kickoff on ESPN2.

Benardrick McKinney 2014 Honors
2014 Butkus Award Semifinalist
Sports Illustrated Midseason All-American
CBS Sports Midseason All-American
Sporting News Midseason All-American
ESPN.com Midseason All-American
Phil Steele Midseason All-American
Phil Steele Midseason All-SEC First Team
2014 Preseason All-SEC (Coaches and Media)
2014 Bednarik Award Watch List
2014 Nagurski Award Watch List
2014 Lombardi Award Watch List

2014 Butkus Award Semifinalists
Stephone Anthony, Clemson
Myles Jack, UCLA
Jordan Jenkins, Georgia
A.J. Johnson, Tennessee
Eric Kendricks, UCLA
Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington
Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
Denzel Perryman, Miami (Fla.)
Hayes Pullard, USC
Reggie Ragland, Alabama
Jake Ryan, Michigan
Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
Eric Striker, Oklahoma
Shaq Thompson, Washington
Ramik Wilson, Georgia

What They Are Saying About Benardrick McKinney

“McKinney’s stats don’t adequately explain his value to Mississippi State’s defense. He’s the centerpiece of a defensive front seven that has helped Mississippi State control each of its three consecutive wins against top-10 opponents.” – David Ching, ESPN.com (10.14.14)

“When NFL scouts look at Benardrick McKinney, they see a multimillion-dollar specimen. McKinney has the rangy build of a prototypical outside linebacker and the freakish athleticism to match.” – Matt Hinton, Grantland.com (10.9.14)

“Benardrick McKinney is such a baller. I wish he got more love. Big, strong, fast and knows how to play football.” – David Pollack, ESPN (10.4.14)

“This dude is a freak that is physical, fast, runs all over the field and makes plays non-stop.” – Tim Tebow, SEC Network (10.4.14) on McKinney

“Benardrick McKinney is really good at this football thing.” – Edward Aschoff, ESPN.com (10.4.14)

“What I’m trying to say is Benardrick McKinney might be a velociraptor.” – Ralph Russo, Associated Press College Football Writer (10.4.14)

“In an era when college linebackers are getting smaller in order to play against spread offenses, it’s rare to find a player with McKinney’s size. With college linebackers shrinking, McKinney has rare size. He’s bigger than most NFL linebackers. He has Brian Urlacher-type size.” – Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com (10.2.14)

“Benardrick McKinney is a game-changing type of talent.” – Matt Stinchcomb, SEC Network (9.30.14)

“Benardrick McKinney may be the best defensive player in the SEC.” – Mike Bellotti, ESPN (9.29.14)​

“McKinney has said he expects to declare for the 2015 NFL Draft, and he’s playing like he plans to be one of its biggest prizes. His rugged style reminds one SEC assistant coach of former Alabama star linebacker Rolando McClain, now of the Dallas Cowboys.” – Chase Goodbread, NFL.com (9.24.14)

“Benardrick McKinney might be the biggest middle linebacker you’ve ever seen in your life.” – Brad Nessler, ESPN (9.20.14)

“When he hits you in space, you are not going to go forward.” – Todd Blackledge, ESPN (9.20.14)​

“One of the top players in the nation at his position and an All-America candidate, he’s got the size of a defensive end (6-5, 245) and the speed of a safety (4.5).” – Jim Kleinpeter, New Orleans Times-Picayune (9.17.14)

“He looks like a linebacker from the New York Giants.” – Ed Orgeron, Former Ole Miss Head Coach (9.16.14)

“This is the best linebacker in the SEC: over Georgia’s Ramik Wilson, over Tennessee’s A.J. Johnson, over all of them.” – Chase Goodbread, NFL.com (8.20.14)

“McKinney boasts first round tools. His value lies with his versatility and raw athleticism. He is a well-built and fluid athlete for his size, showing good lateral agility and very impressive acceleration to track down ball-carriers from behind. He has long arms and good hand-eye coordination to trip up ball-carriers that appear out of his reach and breaks down well in the open field to deliver strong, wrap-up tackles. His athleticism has been well documented.” – Rob Rang, CBSSports.com (8.20.14)

“Speaking of [Mel] Kiper’s 2015 prospect rankings, he has the 6-foot-5, 245-pound McKinney first among underclassman inside linebackers to watch this season. The Bulldogs are a popular dark horse pick in the SEC West thanks in part to what could be a feisty defense with McKinney as one of its top playmakers.” – David Ching, ESPN.com (7.30.14)

“McKinney is NFL-caliber no doubt.” – Logan Lowery, Tupelo Daily Journal (7.25.14)

“Benardrick McKinney is an absolute monster. I think he’s a first-round pick next year.” – Jesse Palmer, ESPN (7.15.14)

“Perhaps the SEC’s most underrated star player.” – Bruce Feldman, Fox Sports (7.8.14)

“You want a captain and a brick wall heading up the middle of your defense? Well, just look at the thick, rock of a man that is McKinney. He definitely isn’t afraid to get physical.” – Edward Aschoff, ESPN.com (6.25.14)

“At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, McKinney is an imposing figure. He’s fast enough and athletic enough to also play on the outside. He’s ready to take that next step as one of the SEC’s elite defenders.” – Chris Low, ESPN.com (6.18.14)