BHS Linebacker Named Semi-Finalist for Butkus Award

Antonio Morrison, a senior at and anchor of the Raider football team, has been named a semi-finalist for the Butkus Award, handed out annually to the best linebacker in the country.

Morrison is one of 15 high school players throughout the country to remain in contention for the award. The selection committee made the announcement Monday evening.

Finalists for the award, according to the award's website, will be announced Nov. 22 and winners will be announced by Dec. 7.

Morrison, who is the only semi-finalist from Illinois, has helped lead a Bolingbrook defense that limited opponents to just 12.7 points per game.

Morrison and the Raiders will at Bolingbrook High School in the first round of the IHSA state tournament.

The other high school nominees are:

• Kwon Alexander, Oxford High School, Ala.
• Mike Barton, Concord De La Salle High School, Calif.
• Josh Clemons, Valdosta-Lowndes High School, Ga.
• Noor Davis, The Villages High School, Fla.
• Trey Granier, Thibodaux High School. La.
• Royce Jenkins-Stone, Cass Technical High School, Detroit, Mich.
• Quanzell Lambert, Timber Creek High School, Sicklerville, N.J.
• Dillon Lee, Buford High School, Ga.
• Kwontie Moore, Norfolk Christian High School, Va.
• Antonio Morrison, Bolingbrook High School, Ill.
• Mario Ojemudia, Harrison High School, Farmington Hills, Mich.
• Jordan Richmond, Ryan High School, Denton, Texas
• Deaysean Rippy, Sto-Rox High School, McKees Rocks, Pa.
• Jabari Ruffin, Downey High School, Calif.
• Camren Williams, Catholic Memorial School, West Roxbury, Mass.