UCLA’s Eric Kendricks and Myles Jack were both named among 15 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, given each year to the best linebacker in the country.

Kendricks leads the Pac-12 with 93 tackles this season, and is just 43 tackles away from tying Jerry Robinson’s all-time school record of 468. The senior is coming off one of the best games of his career: a 16-tackle performance in the Bruins’ 40-37 win at Colorado that included an interception, as well as three third-down stops to force a punt or a field goal. All but one of his tackles were unassisted.

Head coach Jim Mora called it Kendricks’ best game of the season, adding that the tackle total wasn’t inflated by plays farther down the field.

“He’s had some productive games this year, where when you look back at the film you go, ‘Man, great game, except for …'” Mora said Sunday. “This week, he just had a great game. … He was on it.”

Jack is second on the team with 62 tackles, and is tied for first among conference linebackers with six pass breakups. (Washington’s John Timu also has six.) However, he has not had a sack yet this season, and said Monday that he missed a couple of chances against the Buffaloes.

“He’s not as natural yet rushing the passer,” Mora said. “He hasn’t done it a lot. He’s got the skillset, but it’s not natural for him yet.”

Other Butkus Award semifinalists from the Pac-12 were Washington’s Hau’oli Kikaha and Shaq Thompson, and USC’s Hayes Pullard.