ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Derrick Johnson of Texas and Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman were two of the finalists named Thursday for the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker.
The third player was Jonathan Vilma of Miami.
The three finalists were selected from a list of 11. Determined by a vote of 28 national media members, the winner will be announced Dec. 12 at the Downtown Athletic Club in Orlando.
Johnson, a junior, is the only underclassman of the three. He is having the best season of the finalists statistically, with 15 of his 97 tackles for losses, four interceptions, two sacks, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.
He is the first Longhorn to be among the three finalists in the 18-year history of the Butkus Award.
Lehman, the best defensive player on the best defense in the country, has totaled 83 tackles, 11 for losses, one sack, one interception, and a forced fumble.
Vilma has 82 tackles, nine for losses, one sack, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.
