CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Jack Campbell Butkus Award moments don’t come by accident. They’re earned through grit, consistency, and leadership. On Thursday, former Iowa Hawkeye star Jack Campbell reached another defining milestone in his football journey, officially being named the 2025 Dick Butkus Award winner, honoring the NFL’s top linebacker after a dominant season with the Detroit Lions.
From Cedar Falls to the national spotlight, Campbell’s rise has felt inevitable—but no less remarkable.
Jack Campbell Butkus Award Season That Turned Heads Across the NFL
The former Iowa All-American became the cornerstone of Detroit’s defense during his breakout third NFL season, earning him the Jack Campbell Butkus Award. Campbell, who was chosen in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, has gradually developed into a leader, but everything really came together in 2025.
A statistic that sums up Campbell’s worth perfectly is that he led the NFL in run stops and finished second in total tackles. He was ending plays, not just tidying them up. When you include five sacks, three forced fumbles, and consistent coverage in space, the resume is hard to ignore.
Production isn’t the only thing that sets Campbell apart. It’s there. His communication is crucial to his teammates. Coaches have faith in his intuition. On every snap, he is accounted for by opposing offenses.
The Dick Butkus Award was designed to recognize that type of linebacker.
An Iowa-born Defensive Anchor Long before Sundays at Ford Field, Campbell’s football foundation was established in Iowa. He was raised in Cedar Falls and graduated from Cedar Falls High School. He gained notoriety at the University of Iowa for his toughness, discipline, and high football IQ—qualities that carried over to the NFL with ease. Even now, those Hawkeye roots are important.
Since Campbell was the first Iowa Hawkeye to receive the Dick Butkus Award in 2022, this honor is a unique and historic accomplishment that is closely related to both his growth at Iowa and his professional development. Detroit selected more than just a linebacker in the draft. A culture-setter was drafted.
The Butkus Committee’s Perception of Jack Campbell After a season that epitomized modern linebacker play—physical, astute, and unrelenting—Matt Butkus, son of the late Hall of Famer Dick Butkus, presented the award.
The Butkus Award Selection Committee emphasized Campbell’s full skill set in its official statement:
“Jack Campbell embodies everything the Butkus Award represents. His size, instincts and disciplined approach to the position allow him to control the middle of the field. He plays with authority, communicates at a high level, and consistently puts himself in position to make impactful plays. His rise this season reflects not just talent, but leadership and football character.”
That blend of intelligence and intensity is rare. It’s also why Campbell separated himself from an elite group of finalists.
Outperforming the Best in the NFL Campbell emerged victorious from a crowded field that included former Butkus Award winner Roquan Smith of the Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun (last year’s winner), and San Francisco 49ers star Fred Warner. In that company, winning says it all.
This wasn’t a one-game flash or a popularity award. It was a season-long declaration that Jack Campbell is one of the best defensive players in the NFL.
What This Means for Fans of Detroit and Iowa Campbell’s rise indicates that the Lions will have stability at the core of their defense for many years to come.
It serves as yet another reminder to Iowa supporters that the Hawkeye linebacker tradition is still alive and well at the top level. Jack Campbell’s journey from Kinnick Stadium to the NFL spotlight exemplifies what happens when opportunity and preparation collide.
With the 2025 Dick Butkus Award in hand, it’s evident that Jack Campbell is now setting the standard rather than merely being a part of the conversation.
