INDIANAPOLIS – Post-season awards were handed out to select members of the 2021 spring Butler football team this week. All awards were voted on by the players, with the winner receiving a majority of the vote.
 
Top Dog Award – Offense
Kavon Samuels
Samuels, a 2020-21 All-PFL Honorable Mention selection, was a key player for the Butler offense coming out of the backfield. In six games, he averaged 3.8 yards per carry on 104 attempts. Samuels was also an impact player in the pass game, leading the team with 28 receptions. All-together, he averaged 102 all-purpose yards per game, and finished the season with three touchdowns. Samuels topped 100-yards rushing twice this season, in the opener against Valpo (March 13) with 117 yards on 20 carries, and against Morehead State (April 3) with 104 yards on 25 carries. His best overall performance came at Valpo (March 27) where he finished with 165 total yards, 88 rushing and 77 receiving, and his lone rushing touchdown of the season.
 
Top Dog Award – Defense
Isaac Kolosik
The freshman linebacker made an immediate impact on the Butler defense. Kolosik was fifth on the team in tackles with 27, including 4.5 tackles for loss. He also added a forced fumble and an interception to his stats totals. His season-high in tackles came at Valpo (March 27) when he finished with 10 total tackles, seven were solo, and 1.5 tackles for loss. Kolosik also had a big game at San Diego (March 20), where he had eight tackles, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble, and an interception.
 
Top Dog Award – Special Teams / Bulldog Pride Award
AJ Deinhart
Deinhart played important roles for the Bulldogs in the return game as well as in the backfield. As the primary kick returner, he returned eight kicks for 164 yards. His longest return came against Morehead State (April 3) when he ran one back for 32 yards. At San Diego (March 20), he had four returns for 72 yards. In the offense, Deinhart ran for 76 yards off of 22 carries, and he made four catches for 50 yards. Also, against Morehead State, he had his season-high in rushing yards with 26 off four carries, including matching his longest rush of 13 yards, and made one catch for 10 yards.
 
Newcomer of the Year Award
Yogi Flager
In his first year, Flager earned a 2020-21 All-Pioneer League Second Team honors. He played in all six games, and started in the last three games of the season for the Bulldogs. Flager led the team with 387 receiving yards and was second on the team with 24 receptions. He passed 100 yards twice this season, the first time at San Diego where he made four catches for 103 yards, including his longest catch of the season for 42 yards. At Morehead State (April 17), he set career-highs with 10 receptions for 137 yards, and caught his lone touchdown. 
 
Battle of the Trenches Award – Offense
Skyler Spetter
Redshirt-sophomore Skyler Spetter earned a spot on the All-PFL Second Team. Last season, he was an honorable mention for All-PFL. Spetter was a key on the Butler offensive line, starting all six games at right tackle. He helped the Dawgs to an average of 104 rushing yards per game and 224 passing yards per game. As a unit, the Butler line only gave up six games in 2021.
 
Battle of the Trenches Award – Defense
Jordan Caselberry
Redshirt-sophomore Caselberry earned 2020-21 All-PFL Honorable Mention honors. He started all six games for the Dawgs, finishing with 17 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. Caselberry's season-high in tackles came in the season opener against Valpo (March 13) where he made seven tackles, and half a tackle for loss. He finished the season at Morehead State (April 17) with another strong performance, making four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one sack.
 
Most Improved Player Award
Michael Butler
Redshirt-sophomore defensive lineman Michael Butler played in five games this season for the Bulldogs. Against Drake (April 10) he was credited with one solo tackle and one QB hurry.
 
Unsung Hero Awards
The Unsung Hero Awards recognize excellent play on scout teams. The offensive award was given to Joey Suchy. Lucas Kozlowski earned the defensive honor and Jacob Cain was honored for his work on special teams.
 
Spring 2021 Team Captains
Sam Brown, Devin Aguilar, Trevor Scott, Mike Manning