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South Carolina football: Jordan Strachan named to Butkus Award watchlist

By Jacob Elsey

Dec 26, 2020; Mobile, AL, USA; Georgia State Panthers linebacker Jordan Strachan (7) and Georgia State Panthers linebacker Jontrey Hunter (1) pursue Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome (1) during the second half at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2020; Mobile, AL, USA; Georgia State Panthers linebacker Jordan Strachan (7) and Georgia State Panthers linebacker Jontrey Hunter (1) pursue Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome (1) during the second half at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /
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South Carolina football transfer led the nation in sacks last year.

On Monday, the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award was released, and one Gamecock player that’s new to the program is looking to take home the honors with another productive season.

Transfer linebacker Jordan Strachan led the country with 10.5 sacks last year as a member of the Georgia State Panthers. The senior was a big time addition for the South Carolina defense, who ended the year with just 14 sacks as a team in 2020. Strachan will immediately filter into the linebacking rotation and will help bolster pass rush in need of production.

Considered a two-star safety coming out of high school, Strachan walked on to the Georgia State football team in 2018. Fast forward to the upcoming year, and he’s got the possibility of starting in the middle of an SEC defense. Can he produce enough to take home the Butkus Award in 2021? Let’s break down his chances.

Why he will win

Strachan has more pass rushing production than any other linebacker on this list. He outperformed players like Will Anderson (Alabama), Nik Bonnito (Oklahoma), and Zion Tupuola-Fetui (Washington), but was held back from consideration in last year’s Butkus Award selection due to level of competition. No Group of Five player has taken home the honors.

Now, though, he gets to test his skills at the highest level of the sport. While he may not lead the nation in sacks, he’s certainly a candidate to pace the Gamecocks in the category next year. When comparing his stats to last year’s winner Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Notre Dame), Strachan held his own. Take look at their respective totals in 2020.

  • Owusu-Koramoah: (12 games) 62 tackles, 11 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles
  • Strachan: (10 games) 41 tackles, 14 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles

In addition to the sack totals, Strachan forced three fumbles, and recovered two more. He had a knack for creating game-changing plays last season, and if he can add that same type of impact to the South Carolina defense, it’s not unfathomable to see him on the postseason watchlist, too.

Why he won’t win

This, like many postseason awards, goes to players that make impacts on the nation’s top teams. Eight of the last nine winners have come from either Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, or Notre Dame. It’s no coincidence that each has been in the College Football Playoff at one point or another.

With Strachan playing for a team that may struggle to make a bowl game appearance, he may be overlooked when it comes time to hand out the honors.

It will also be interesting to see how his abilities translate to the SEC. It’s one thing to post great numbers versus Louisiana Monroe and South Alabama, but the test gets much tougher against a South Carolina slate that includes at least four national title contenders.

Strachan will have to prove it on the field. If he sees a significant decline in production following his move to Columbia, it will be hard to sell his worthiness of the honors.

More. 5 key players on defense. light

Stay tuned to Garnet and Cocky for all your South Carolina football news in the 2021 season.

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