IU Linebacker Aiden Fisher Named to Butkus Award Watch List

Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times

IU Athletics Release

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – With just 18 days until the 2024 season officially opens for the Indiana football program, junior linebacker Aiden Fisher was tabbed to the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award.

The 40th annual collegiate Butkus Award® Preseason Watch List features 51 linebackers as a nod to the storied “51” pro jersey worn by the award’s namesake, the late Dick Butkus. His tenacious leadership from the middle linebacker position earned him acclaim by NFL Films as the greatest defensive player in football history. Candidates for the collegiate Butkus Award represent 44 colleges and universities from across the country.

Founded in 1985, the Butkus Award honors linebackers at three levels while supporting causes important to the Butkus family. Causes include Butkus Takes Heart™ initiative encouraging early cardiovascular screening among adults, and the I Play Clean® initiative encouraging athletes to train naturally without performance-enhancing drugs. A 51-member expert panel of coaches, scouts and journalists guides the selection process. 

Fisher has appeared in 23 career games with 11 starts over two collegiate seasons, both at James Madison (2022-23) for now IU head coach Curt Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines. He garnered third-team All-Sun Belt as a sophomore after a 108-tackle season with 6.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

He started 11 of 13 games in 2023 and was named Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week in Week 2 after a blocked punt at Virginia (9/9). Fisher made his first career start in Week 3 at Troy (9/16) and started the final 11 contests, capped by a season-high 17 tackles - 12 solo - in the Armed Forces Bowl versus Air Force (12/23). He posted four double-digit tackle games and three others with nine stops, had one interception, and broke up eight passes. His blocked punt at Virginia also led to a JMU touchdown.

2024 Indiana Football Preseason Accolades

James Bomba – AFCA Good Works Team Nominee, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

James Evans – Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List

Aiden Fisher – Butkus Award Preseason Watch List

Zach Horton – John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List

Cooper Jones – William V. Campbell Trophy Nominee

D’Angelo Ponds – Lott Trophy Preseason Watch List

Elijah Sarratt – Bilitikoff Award Preseason Watch List

Solomon Vanhorse - College Football Comeback Player of the Year Preseason Watch List