Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith named a semifinalst for Butkus Award

Notre Dame sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith is one of 15 semifinalists for the 2014 Collegiate Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's best linebacker.

Irish commit Josh Barajas, who plays at Andrean High School in Merrillville, Ind., was named a semifinalist for the High School Butkus. Irish target Porter Gustin of Salem Hills High School in Salem, Utah, is also one of the semifinalists.

Smith won the high school version of the award two years ago while a senior at Bishop Luers High School in Merrillville, Ind. Notre Dame's Manti Te'o won the collegiate award that same season.

Finalists will be announced Nov. 24 with the winner named on Dec. 9.