Wildcat senior listed as one of the nation’s top collegiate linebackers
The Butkus Foundation announced Tuesday that senior inside linebacker DeAndre Square has been named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker since 1985.
Square, a 6-foot-1, 221-pound native of Detroit, is in his fifth and final season with the Wildcats, having played in 57 career games with 43 straight starting assignments.
He started the season opener against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 3, marking his fourth straight start in a season opener. He became the first Wildcat to do so since tight end C.J. Conrad in 2015-18.
He became the first defensive Wildcat to do so since cornerback Trevard Lindley in 2006-09. He’s also been voted a team captain three straight seasons (2020, 2021, 2022), joining Joshua Paschal as the only three-time captains in school history.
Square currently leads the Wildcats (5-3, 2-3 in the Southeastern Conference) in tackles with 55, which is 18 more than anyone else on the team.
His career totals include 299 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hurries, seven pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery.