After three years with the Detroit Lions, former Iowa football All-American linebacker Jack Campbell received the 2025 Career Butkus Award on Thursday in his hometown of Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The award is presented annually to the NFL’s top linebacker and is presented to the late, great Chicago Bears and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus. Matt Butkus, son of Dick Butkus, presented Campbell with the award Thursday in recognition of his breakout season with the Lions.
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Campbell beat out San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun, who was the winner last season.
In 2025, Campbell played a key role for the Lions, who were once again plagued by injuries to many of their star defensive players.
In all 17 games he appeared in, the 6-foot-5, 246-pound linebacker displayed the defining qualities of an elite linebacker in the NFL. Due to his ability to be the cornerstone of Detroit’s run defense and defense, Campbell was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl and earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time.
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Last season, Campbell totaled 176 tackles (89 solo), nine tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Campbell’s 176 tackles ranked second in the NFL.
Jack Campbell embodies everything the Butkus Award stands for. His size, instincts and positional discipline allow him to control the midfield. He plays with authority, communicates at a high level, and consistently puts himself in positions to make impactful plays. His rise this season has been as much about leadership and football character as it is about talent. Butkus Award Selection Committee
Campbell became the first Hawkeye to win the Butkus Award in college for his accomplishments as a senior in 2022. Campbell now becomes the first Hawkeye to win both the collegiate and professional Butkus Awards.
With Campbell entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, winning the Butkus Award would certainly help him secure a potentially lucrative extension this summer.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Former Iowa football star Jack Campbell honored with 2025 Pro Butkus Award
