ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 18 -- Rocky Calmus, leader of second-ranked Oklahoma's defense, was named Thursday as one of 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top collegdiate linebacker.
The 6-3, 240-pound Calmus also was a finalist last year, when the Sooners beat Florida State in the Orange Bowl to win the national championship.
Fifth-ranked UCLA, whose improved defense has the Bruins in contention for the national championship, is the only school with two players represented -- seniors Ryan Nece and Robert Thomas.
The list of semifinalists also includes Florida's Andra Davis,South Carolina's Kalimba Edwards, Louisiana State's Trev Faulk, North Carolina State's LaVar Fisher, Michigan's Larry Foote, Maryland's E.J. Henderson, Texas' D.D. Lewis, Virginia Tech's Ben Taylor and Michigan State's Josh Thornhill.
The award is named for Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, who played collegiately at Illinois and in the NFL for the Chicago Bears.NEWLN: |end|
