Laie’s Own Liona Lefau Earns Spot on Prestigious Butkus Award Watch List Following Breakout Season with Texas Longhorns

Liona Lefau, a proud graduate of Kahuku High School and a native of Laie, Hawaii, continues to turn heads on the national college football scene. The rising Texas Longhorns linebacker has been named to the 2025 Butkus Award Watch List, a distinguished honor reserved for the nation’s top linebackers. For Lefau, this recognition caps off a breakout sophomore campaign in 2024 and solidifies his status as one of college football’s emerging defensive stars.

The Butkus Award is one of the sport’s most respected individual honors. Named after legendary NFL linebacker Dick Butkus, the award recognizes the player who best exemplifies athletic excellence at the linebacker position at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels. Being named to the watch list alone places Lefau in elite company, standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the best talent in the country. It also signals that national analysts and scouts are increasingly aware of what fans in Hawaii and Austin, Texas, have known for some time: Liona Lefau is the real deal.

Now entering his junior season at the University of Texas, Lefau’s development has been nothing short of remarkable. In 2024, he seized the opportunity to step into a larger role on the Longhorns’ defense, and he didn’t disappoint. Over the course of 16 games—starting in 10 of them—Lefau racked up 63 total tackles, including two sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception. His impact extended far beyond the box score. Week in and week out, Lefau brought energy, discipline, and a physical presence that helped anchor one of the most formidable defenses in college football.

The Longhorns defense, under coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski, was among the top-ranked units in the nation last season, and Lefau played a key role in their success. His versatility allowed him to contribute in a variety of ways—whether dropping back in coverage, blitzing off the edge, or filling gaps in run defense. Coaches praised his football IQ, leadership on the field, and his relentless motor. Teammates followed his lead, with some describing him as the emotional heartbeat of the defense. Not bad for a kid from the North Shore of Oahu, playing under the bright lights of one of college football’s biggest stages.

What makes Lefau’s rise even more impressive is the journey he’s taken to get here. A standout at Kahuku High School, he was already a household name in Hawaii football circles before he ever put on a burnt orange jersey. Known for his athleticism, physicality, and leadership, he helped lead Kahuku to back-to-back state championships during his high school career. Recruiting analysts across the country took notice. As a four-star prospect, Lefau had offers from several Power Five programs, but ultimately chose Texas, drawn by the school’s football legacy, coaching staff, and the opportunity to compete at the highest level.

In interviews, Lefau often credits his roots in Laie and his experience growing up in Hawaii for shaping who he is both on and off the field. He speaks with pride about representing his community and being a role model for younger players from the islands who dream of playing college football on the mainland. The journey from Laie to Austin isn’t a typical one, but Lefau has embraced every step of it with humility, focus, and an unmistakable drive to succeed.

That drive has been evident since the day he arrived in Austin. After a freshman season spent learning behind veteran players and adjusting to the speed of the college game, Lefau used the offseason to bulk up, improve his technique, and master the defensive playbook. When his number was called in 2024, he was more than ready. Game after game, he showed growth, consistency, and the ability to make plays in critical moments. Whether it was a key third-down stop, a momentum-shifting sack, or his first collegiate interception, Lefau had a knack for delivering when it mattered most.

Lefau’s inclusion on the Butkus Award Watch List is not only a testament to his individual talent, but also a sign of how far the Texas defense has come. After years of inconsistency, the Longhorns have re-established themselves as a powerhouse unit, and players like Lefau are a big reason why. His emergence as a top-tier linebacker has helped restore the physical identity that fans associate with great Texas defenses of the past.

Looking ahead to the 2025 season, expectations are sky-high for Lefau and the Longhorns. Texas returns much of its defensive core and is considered a strong contender in the expanded College Football Playoff format. With Lefau at the heart of their linebacker corps, the Longhorns hope to build on last year’s success and take another step toward a national championship. If Lefau can continue his upward trajectory, he not only has a chance to be a finalist for the Butkus Award, but also to hear his name called early in the 2026 NFL Draft.

That’s still a ways off, and for now, Lefau remains focused on the present—getting better every day, helping his team win, and honoring the people who helped him get to this point. In interviews, he frequently acknowledges his coaches, teammates, and especially his family for their support. He also hasn’t forgotten where he came from. Laie and the wider North Shore community remain close to his heart, and he often takes time during the offseason to give back, whether by mentoring local youth, participating in football clinics, or simply showing up as a living example of what hard work and dedication can achieve.

For young athletes in Hawaii, particularly those from rural communities like Laie, Lefau’s story is an inspiring one. He proves that with talent, discipline, and belief in yourself, it’s possible to go from Friday nights under the lights at Kahuku to the national stage of college football—and beyond. He’s already become a role model in his home state, and this latest honor is only going to elevate his profile further.

It’s also worth noting that Lefau’s recognition comes during a golden era for Hawaii football talent. In recent years, the islands have produced a growing number of elite players who have made their mark on the national scene—whether at Alabama, Oregon, USC, or now, Texas. Lefau is part of that wave, and he’s proving that Hawaii can produce not just skilled athletes, but elite-level football minds and leaders as well.

As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on Liona Lefau and the Longhorns. With his name now etched onto the Butkus Award Watch List, the stakes are higher than ever—but so is the belief in what he can achieve. He’s no longer the under-the-radar prospect from a remote island. He’s a rising star, a leader on one of the most storied teams in college football, and a living testament to what’s possible when talent meets preparation and heart.

In many ways, this moment is just the beginning for Lefau. The watch list is an honor, but it’s also a challenge—one that he appears more than ready to meet. If his past is any indication, don’t bet against him. Whether it’s on the field with bone-rattling hits, in the film room breaking down opponents, or in his community lifting others up, Liona Lefau continues to make his presence known. The journey from Laie to Longhorn stardom hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth every step. And now, with national recognition in hand and another season ahead, Lefau stands ready to make 2025 his best year yet.