Nakobe dean was awarded the high school Dick Butkus Award on Wednesday during a surprise presentation.

Congratulations to Nakobe Dean @KobeDean2 on being surprised with the Butkus Award! Proud of this Eagle being recognized nationally! @butkusaward #TeamDCS #soareagle #raisethebar pic.twitter.com/8eORIROFM4

— Horn Lake HS Eagles (@EaglesHLHS) December 5, 2018

The Butkus Award is awarded every year to the best high school, college, and pro linebacker. LSU linebacker, Devin White, took home this years’s collegiate award and Carolina Panthers linebacker, Luke Kuechly, took home the pro award.

Dean is the No. 1 inside linebacker in the nation and is a 5-star recruit. This award comes a week after Dean and the Horn Lake Eagles hoisted up the 6-A Mississippi Championship trophy. Dean was also name Mr. Mississippi for 6-A on last week.

Accolades keeping piling up for Dean. This award is the latest award for a kid, who possibly could add several more plaques to his wall before it is all said and done. The Butkus award is one award Dean feels will have more significance in a couple of years.

“It would of course be a great honor,” Dean said in July, when he was named to the Butkus Award Watch list. “It honestly will be way more important in college.”

Dean will announce his commitment on Dec. 19 and the Tide remains in the mix coming down the stretch. Alabama wants Dean to come and join a loaded 2019 linebacker class with 4-Star commits: King Mwikuta, Shane Lee and Christian Harris.

RELATED: Alabama wants to reload on linebackers. 

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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith