CPD
OHIO STATE NOTEBOOK
Big season earns Laurinaitis national notice
Friday, November 10, 2006
Columbus -- For the second time this week, there was some surprising Ohio State news regarding a national award on Thursday. Sophomore linebacker James Laurinaitis, who wasn't even on the initial watch list of 65 players, was named one of three finalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.
He's joined by Mississippi senior Patrick Willis and last year's winner, Penn State senior Paul Posluszny. Oklahoma's Brian Bosworth, in 1985, and Ohio State's Andy Katzenmoyer, in 1997, are the only other sophomores to be Butkus finalists, and both won the award. Katzenmoyer, Chris Spielman (twice) and A.J. Hawk are the only other Buckeyes to be finalists. Posluszny was a surprise winner over Hawk last year, and now maybe Laurinaitis can make up for it.
"It's a great honor to be part of the list, and to be mentioned in the same sentence as these other two guys is amazing," Laurinaitis said.
Willis is fifth in the country in tackles per game, with 112 in 10 games, and has one sack and no interceptions. Posluszny is 22nd in tackles, with 93 in 10 games, and has two sacks and no interceptions. Laurinaitis is 47th in tackles, with 86 in 10 games, and has four sacks and five interceptions.
"Recognition normally has a lot to do with production, and he has excellent production," Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said. "And the great thing about awards recently is that people who are being favored for them are from teams who have produced and I think that's healthy."
Playing for the No. 1 team in the country had to help the shocked Antonio Smith, the former walk-on at cornerback who wasn't even expected to hold his starting job through the preseason. He was named one of 11 semifinalists for the Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back, on Tuesday.
He learned the news from a friend who called while Smith was watching film.
"I said, Stop playing,' " Smith said. "I hadn't looked at any awards or things like that. I'm just trying to win a couple more ballgames, and for that to happen, I'm just thankful. I was completely surprised."
The nomination of Quinn Pitcock as one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award, given to the best offensive lineman, defensive lineman or linebacker, was less surprising. Hawk won that award last season. While there's no dominant player like Hawk on this defense, Laurinaitis and Pitcock certainly have a chance to win their awards.
Then there's the Heisman Trophy. The players invited to the Heisman ceremony will be announced on Dec. 6, with the ceremony on Dec. 9. There will be at least one Buckeye there.