CHICAGO –
(October 24, 2011) – Collegiate and high school semi-finalists were announced today for the 27th Annual Butkus Award® honoring the nation’s top football linebackers. Nominees are posted at www.thebutkusaward.com.
The 12 collegiate semi-finalists include five returning nominees and two from the University of Alabama. Meanwhile, the 15 high school semi-finalists are from 12 states, with two each from California, Georgia and Michigan. Finalists will be announced November 22 and winners will be announced by December 7. Meanwhile, the professional winner will be announced in early 2012.
The Award was expanded in 2008 to honor linebackers at three levels while helping spread the word about Butkus’ I Play Clean™ initiative, which encourages teens to eat well, train hard, and play with attitude, instead of resorting to steroids and related drugs. More information is available at www.iplayclean.org or at www.facebook.com/i.play.clean.
“This Award is about honoring linebackers at all levels, and reminding them that they have a responsibility to serve as role models and to give back to society,” said Dick Butkus, the legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker.
Collegiate 2011 Butkus Award Semi-Finalists:
·
Zach Brown, University of North Carolina
·
Vontaze Burfict, Arizona State University
·
Audie Cole, North Carolina State University
·
Lavonte David, University of Nebraska
·
Dont’a Hightower, University of Alabama
·
Luke Kuechly, Boston College
·
Travis Lewis, University of Oklahoma
·
Greg
Jones, Michigan State
·
Keenan Robinson, University of Texas
·
Sean Spence, University of Miami (Fla.)
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Manti Te’o, University of Notre Dame
·
Courtney Upshaw, University of Alabama
·
Jarvis Jones, University of Georgia
High School 2011 Butkus Award nominees:
·
Kwon Alexander, Oxford High School, Ala.
·
Mike Barton, Concord De La Salle High School, Calif.
·
Josh Clemons, Valdosta-Lowndes High School, Ga.
·
Noor Davis, The Villages High School, Fla.
·
Trey Granier, Thibodaux High School. La.
·
Royce Jenkins-Stone, Cass Technical High School, Detroit, Mich.
·
Quanzell Lambert, Timber Creek High School, Sicklerville, N.J.
·
Dillon Lee, Buford High School, Ga.
·
Kwontie Moore, Norfolk Christian High School, Va.
·
Antonio Morrison, Bolingbrook High School, Ill.
·
Mario Ojemudia, Harrison High School, Farmington Hills, Mich.
·
Jordan Richmond, Ryan High School, Denton, Texas
·
Deaysean Rippy, Sto-Rox High School, McKees Rocks, Pa.
·
Jabari Ruffin, Downey High School, Calif.
·
Camren Williams, Catholic Memorial School, West Roxbury, Mass.
The Butkus Award is selected by a 51-person panel comprised of scouts, coaches and journalists. Selectors follow all rules of their leagues, including limitations on contact with players. Individual votes remain completely confidential. The panel is coordinated by Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly.
Last season’s Butkus Award winners included: Clay Matthews, Super Bowl-winning Green Bay Packers; Von Miller of Texas A&M University and #2 overall NFL draft pick who is now a Denver Bronco; and Tony Steward of St. Augustine, Fla., who is on scholarship at Clemson University.
Considered one of the greatest football players in history, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Meanwhile, his son Matt was a defensive lineman for the University of Southern California’s 1990 Rose Bowl winning team, and joins his father in philanthropic efforts. More information is at www.thebutkusaward.com.
The Butkus Award, www.thebutkusaward.com or www.facebook.com/51.butkus, is presented by the Butkus Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization. It is part of the National College Football Awards Association, a coalition of the major collegiate awards. More information is available at www.NCFAA.org.