Sam Olajubutu

As a true freshman in 2002, Olajubutu played in three games and recorded two tackles. He later would apply for and receive a medical redshirt, allowing four more years of participation. As a redshirt freshman in 2003, Olajubutu recorded 85 total tackles, including three tackles for loss and two interceptions.[5]

In 2004, Olajubutu recorded 45.5 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for a loss of seven yards, four passes defended, and a fumble recovery.[6]

Opening the season against Missouri State, Olajubutu had ten tackles and was named one of three Hogwired.com Players of Week.[7] Against #1 Southern Cal, Olajubutu had 14 tackles.[8] The following week, the junior had 16 tackles and two sacks against #20 Alabama.[9] His breakout game was against #20 Auburn, when he had 18 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a quarterback hurry, and a pass deflected.[10]

His efforts made Olajubutu an Honorable Mention All-American by College Football News.com.[11] He also was a first-team All-SEC selection by SEC coaches, and tabbed on the All-SEC second team by the Associated Press in 2005.[12] He ranked third in the SEC with 118 tackles.[13] As a junior, Olajubutu was named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List.[14]

Prior to the 2006 season, Olajubutu was tagged on watch lists for the Lott Trophy, Lombardi Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Butkus Award.[15][16][17][18] Rivals.com also named Olajubutu as a second-team All-American prior to 2006.[19] CollegeFootballNews.com named the senior the #3 Linebacker in the Nation and the No. 11 SEC Position Player, and The Birmingham News said Olajubutu was the SEC’s Best Outside Linebacker. Eight separate organizations named Olajubutu as a first-team All-SEC performer.[20]

The senior linebacker had six tackles and a sack in the Red-White scrimmage on April 8.[21]

Olajubutu recorded 12 tackles against Southern Cal and 13 against Utah State.[22] He recorded 14 stops in a win at Vanderbilt.[23] Following a victory over #2 Auburn, Olajubutu was named a mid-season All-American, recording 66 tackles in the first five games[24] After missing the game against Louisiana-Monroe with an injury, Olajubutu returned to action against the South Carolina Gamecocks and recorded three tackles in a win.[25] The following week against #13 Tennessee, the senior linebacker had eight tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble as the Hogs won 31-14.[26] A victory over Mississippi State gave the Hogs the SEC Western Division title and a berth in the 2006 SEC Championship Game.[27] Against #4 Florida, Olajubutu recorded six tackles, all unassisted, but the Razorbacks lost 38-28.[28] Olajubutu would record three tackles in the 2007 Capital One Bowl, his final game as an Arkansas Razorback.[29]

Olajubutu was named First-team All-SEC by the Associated Press, SEC Coaches, and Scout.com. He also was a Bednarik Award Semifinalist, Butkus Award Semifinalist, and Lott Trophy Quarterfinalist.[30] He was invited to play in the East–West Shrine Game, along with teammate Keith Jackson (defensive tackle).[31]