Horn Lake’s LB Dean earns the High School Butkus Award
HORN LAKE, Miss. — Nakobe Dean received a phone call Wednesday afternoon that he'll probably never forget. It was NFL Hall-of-Famer Dick Butkus calling to congratulate him on winning the 2018 High School Butkus Award.
"You know what this means. You have been voted as the best high school linebacker in the country. That's quite an honor," said Butkus.
"Welcome to the club man. You deserve it, and keep it going."
Dean is the top-ranked inside linebacker in the country and No. 1 player in Mississippi, according to the 247Sports composite. He is the first Mississippian to receive the award since its inception in 2008.
"Winning this award and being considered one of the top linebackers in the nation just gives me more inspiration to work hard. It's a great award but I feel like I have a lot more to do to get better," said Dean.
Dean said that the announcement was a surprise and that he found out "just then."
His mother, Neketta, said that athletic director Donnie Weeks gave her a heads-up before hand.
"I'm elated. Humbled, but elated that he got it," said Neketta.
Dean, a six-foot, 220 pound senior, has not committed to a college, but has said he plans to sign during the early signing period, which begins Dec. 19.
"I'm down to my top four or five, I tend not to release it, but I'm about down to that in my head and I'm probably going to know my decision in the next nine or 10 days," said Dean.
According to 247Sports, Dean has taken official visits to Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Texas A&M, and is scheduled to visit LSU on this weekend where he will be hosted by Devin White, who won the 2018 Collegiate Butkus Award.
"I've been to LSU a lot, I'm just trying to get a better feel and hang out with the boys a little bit more and ask them questions about how the coaching goes," said Dean.
The award is the latest achievement in a remarkable senior year for Dean. He recorded 134 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three interceptions during the regular season and led Horn Lake (15-0) to its first state championship. His efforts earned him the MHSAA 6A Mr. Football award.
Past winners of the High School Butkus Award include New Orleans Saints linebacker Manti Te'o, Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks, and Dallas Cowboys' linebacker Jaylon Smith.
Dean beat out four other finalists for the award — Texas commitment De'Gabriel Floyd, Auburn commitment Owen Pappoe, Penn State commitment Brandon Smith, and uncommitted Henry To'oto'o.