The preseason honors continue to stack up for Indiana as linebacker Aiden Fisher has been named to the Butkus Award Preseason Watch List for the best linebacker in college football.
After not playing much as a freshman, Fisher burst onto the season in 2023 for James Madison.
Fisher started 11 of 13 games and was named third-team All-Sun Belt Conference after making 108 tackles including six tackles for loss. He was also a force against the pass with seven pass breakups and an interception for the Dukes.
“I think Bryant Haines sleeps a lot better at night with him,” Curt Cignetti said of Fisher after the spring game. “He’s like a quarterback of the defense. Knows it inside out, really studies, really respected by his teammates too, helps get others lined up. So making progress, good football player.”
Now in his third year under Cignetti and Bryant Haines, Fisher will play a critical role for IU Football. Fisher being one of the three players to speak at Big Ten Media Days was indicative of that.
FULL 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 – Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List
Solomon Vanhorse – College Football Comeback Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.
Looking for a place to get more Indiana content? Hoosier Illustrated has partnered with Tom Brady’s company ‘Autograph’ to streamline our coverage, so you can continue to do what you do best – follow IU sports. Use the CODE: Indianafr to get started today. For more info, you can start here.
