ABJ
Laurinaitis named Butkus finalist
Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis on Thursday became one of only three sophomores ever named a finalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's best linebacker.
Penn State senior Paul Posluszny, who is bidding to become the second back-to-back winner in 22 years, and Mississippi senior Patrick Willis are the other finalists.
A first-year starter, Laurinaitis stands fifth in the Big Ten in tackles with 86 and is tied for 15th in the nation with five interceptions.
He joins
OSU's Andy Katzenmoyer and Oklahoma's Brian Bosworth, who both won as sophomores. The award will be presented Dec. 7 in Orlando.