Georgia senior inside linebacker Tae Crowder has been named one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation’s best linebacker.

Crowder, a native of Hamilton, Ga., is one of only two players from the Southeastern Conference on the list.  Finalists for the award are expected to be announced on Nov. 25.

Crowder’s friend and former roommate Roquan Smith was named the winner of the 2017 Butkus Award.  Smith is currently with the Chicago Bears.

Current Bulldog freshman Nakobe Dean was the 2018 high school Butkus Award winner following his career at Horn Lake High School (Miss.).

Crowder is currently tied for second on the Bulldog defense with 36 tackles, including three tackles for loss.  He also scooped up a fumble at Tennessee earlier in the year and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown.  Crowder mans the middle of a defense that leads the SEC in Scoring Defense (11.4 points/game, No. 4 nationally), Rushing Defense (77.6 yards/game, No. 4 nationally) and Total Defense (268.1 yards/game, No. 8 nationally).

The No. 6 Bulldogs (7-1, 4-1 SEC) play host to Missouri (5-3, 2-2) on Dooley Field in Sanford Stadium this Saturday.  ESPN will televise the game at 7 p.m.