University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Mac Brown
10/28/2026 1:47:00 PM | Football
MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota fifth-year senior Maverick Baranowski has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top linebacker.
This season, Baranowski leads Minnesota with 52 tackles, while his 7.4 tackles per game ranked 10th in the Big Ten. He also has 3.5 tackles for loss, with 1.0 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and two QB hurries. Baranowski has recorded at least six tackles in each of the last 18 games.
The Ponce Inlet, Fla., native ranks sixth among Big Ten linebackers in Pro Football Focus' rush defense (85.4), 10th in pass rush grade (75.7) and 13th in overall grade (78.3).
Among all active FBS players, Baranowski is seventh with 273 career tackles.
Against Iowa, he tallied seven tackles, forced a fumble for the first time this season (second of career) and recovered one fumble. Before that, at Purdue, Baranowski finished with a season-high and game-high 11 tackles, including 0.5 for loss. It was his seventh career game with double-digit tackles.
At Washington on Sept. 26, Baranowski tied for the team lead with seven tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss, which were a season high. He also had 1.0 sacks, which tied a personal best, and recorded his first career interception, which set up the Gophers' first touchdown against the Huskies. As a result, he was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Established in 1985, the Butkus Award has become one of football's most respected individual honors, recognizing the nation's premier linebackers. Named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, whose extraordinary career helped define the position, the award has honored generations of outstanding players and remains a coveted distinction at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.
The 2026 semifinalists were selected through a national evaluation process involving coaches, scouts and football journalists. The selection committee will narrow the field to finalists before determining this year's recipients. Finalists will be announced on Nov. 20, with the 2026 Butkus Award winners named the week of Dec. 7.
This season, Baranowski leads Minnesota with 52 tackles, while his 7.4 tackles per game ranked 10th in the Big Ten. He also has 3.5 tackles for loss, with 1.0 sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, fumble recovery and two QB hurries. Baranowski has recorded at least six tackles in each of the last 18 games.
The Ponce Inlet, Fla., native ranks sixth among Big Ten linebackers in Pro Football Focus' rush defense (85.4), 10th in pass rush grade (75.7) and 13th in overall grade (78.3).
Among all active FBS players, Baranowski is seventh with 273 career tackles.
Against Iowa, he tallied seven tackles, forced a fumble for the first time this season (second of career) and recovered one fumble. Before that, at Purdue, Baranowski finished with a season-high and game-high 11 tackles, including 0.5 for loss. It was his seventh career game with double-digit tackles.
At Washington on Sept. 26, Baranowski tied for the team lead with seven tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss, which were a season high. He also had 1.0 sacks, which tied a personal best, and recorded his first career interception, which set up the Gophers' first touchdown against the Huskies. As a result, he was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Established in 1985, the Butkus Award has become one of football's most respected individual honors, recognizing the nation's premier linebackers. Named for Pro Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, whose extraordinary career helped define the position, the award has honored generations of outstanding players and remains a coveted distinction at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.
The 2026 semifinalists were selected through a national evaluation process involving coaches, scouts and football journalists. The selection committee will narrow the field to finalists before determining this year's recipients. Finalists will be announced on Nov. 20, with the 2026 Butkus Award winners named the week of Dec. 7.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballWednesday, October 28
Wednesday, October 28
Monday, October 26
Saturday, October 24