This post was updated Dec. 4 at 10:59 p.m.
Carson Schwesinger doesn’t just stall his opponents or the clock.
The redshirt junior linebacker stops them.
Fueled by a combination of calculation and instinct, he takes the ball carrier down by any means possible – even if it means finding the pocket or grasping for a limb.
Yet three years ago, Schwesinger had never suited up in blue and gold.
But from reserved to renowned, Schwesinger’s evolution with UCLA football has nearly cemented his name into national history. The former walk-on is now in contention for the Butkus Award – granted to the nation’s most elite collegiate linebacker.
On paper, the search for the perfect candidate seems simple: Look no further than the stat lines of the five finalists.
Schwesinger’s 8.5 tackles for loss would deceptively place him in the middle of the pack, and he trails Georgia’s Jalon Walker by 1.5 sacks.
But his competitors’ 2024 figures pale in comparison to the aggression and athletic precision he displayed while pacing the country in solo tackles.
Arkansas’ Chris Paul Jr. slots in as the closest behind Schwesinger’s two interceptions, having posted just one of his own through the regular season. For a total nearly tripling Clemson’s Barrett Carter’s 34 solo tackles, Schwesinger’s 90 top the Big Ten.
These figures make up just a fraction of his 136 total tackles on the season, which blow the pool of finalists out of the water – only Oklahoma’s Danny Stutsman was able to crawl past the 100-tackle mark.
Not only has Schwesinger’s growth vaulted him ahead of the starting linebackers from his freshman season – none of whom surpassed 70 total tackles that year – but his performance has approached records of former UCLA greats, including that of 2014 Butkus Award winner Eric Kendricks.
In the 10 years since the Bruins produced their first Butkus Awardee, no other player has neared Kendricks’ tackle total or double-digit tackle game total – save for Schwesinger.
However, those making the decision for this year’s Butkus Award better lift their eyes from the game notes and historical records, as Schwesinger’s figures on the score sheets barely scratch the surface of his role on this year’s squad.
In between his highlight-reel plays, Schwesinger’s game sense, awareness and leadership wove a story few would expect from someone who first laced up two years ago.
Ultimately, the “best linebacker” doesn’t merely boast brute strength in the box. Schwesinger’s most impactful tools are much more nuanced.
Before the ball is snapped, Schwesinger appears to have already dissected formations – reading the quarterback’s eyes and adjusting to pre-snap motions to cut off routes others would miss. He’s a masterclass in defensive anticipation and trusting himself – easily evidenced by his chart-topping production and intuition in reading the ebbs and flows of a game.
And as one of UCLA’s 2024 captains, the bioengineering student seamlessly integrated into the Bruin family with help from defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe – a former walk-on player himself – whose passion for and dedication to elevating UCLA’s defensive units are evident in his drills and schemes.
But arguably the biggest testament to Schwesinger’s rise to the top lies in his origin.
To even be considered among three-, four- and five-star high school recruits after only three years of playing time is significant. Not only is the Moorpark, California, local in contention for the honor of the nation’s top linebacker, but he was also named a semifinalist for the Burlsworth trophy – awarded to the country’s best college football player who began as a walk-on.
For some, his walk-on introduction often earns him a nod in favor of an imposed “underdog” campaign. However, where he began does not serve as an unfair crutch to shape his current narrative. Rather, his ground-up mindset propelled him to champion consideration – officially cementing him as one of the best.
It’s simple: He rises to the occasion because he knows what it’s like not to have one.
So when it comes to the Butkus Award, Schwesinger is the only clear choice. He has the numbers and the heart to prove it.
Redshirt senior linebacker Kain Medrano – Schwesinger’s right-hand man – put it best: “He’s got my vote, if I could vote.”
Comments are closed.