Mesquite Poteet outside linebacker Malik Jefferson has been named a semi-finalist for the Butkus Award, an honor given to the nation’s top linebackers on the professional, collegiate and high school levels.
Jefferson, No. 1 on the SportsDayHS area recruiting rankings, is one of 15 high school semi-finalists, and the lone Texan on the list. He’s played in only four full games in 2014 because of injury, but has still registered 40 tackles (nine for loss), four sacks, a forced fumble and four blocked kicks.
The list will be cut to finalists on Nov. 24, and winners will be announced on Dec. 9.
Butkus Award 2014 High School Semi-Finalists
Jerome Baker, Benedictine High School, Cleveland, OH
Josh Barajas, Andrean High School, Merrillville, IN
Mekhi Brown, GW Carver High School, Columbus, GA
Ricky DeBerry, Atlee High School, Mechanicsville, VA
Porter Gustin, Salem Hills High School, Salem, UT
Justin Hilliard, St. Xavier High School, Cincinnati, OH
Jeffery Holland, Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, FL
John Houston, Junipero Serra High School, Gardena, CA
Malik Jefferson, Ralph H. Poteet High School, Mesquite, TX
Leo Lewis, Brookhaven High School, Brookhaven, MS
Osa Masina, Brighton High School, Salt Lake City,UT
Joshua McMillon, Whitehaven High School, Memphis, TN
Sherrod Pittman, First Coast High School, Jacksonville, FL
Jahvoni Simmons, Ocean Lakes High School, Virginia Beach, VA
Adonis Thomas, Central Gwinnett High School, Lawrenceville, GA