10/18/01

Lewis named Butkus Award semifinalist

ORLANDO, Fla. - University of Texas senior linebacker D.D. Lewis (Houston, Texas) was named a Butkus Award semifinalist, the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc. announced on Thursday. Lewis is the first Longhorn in school history to be named a semifinalist for the annual award that honors the nation's top linebacker.

Lewis - who has started all 44 games of his Longhorns career (including bowl games) - has registered 32 tackles (19 solo), two TFLs, four QB pressures, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries this season. He is the inspirational leader of a UT defense that ranks seventh nationally in total defense (256.7 ypg), eighth in scoring defense (14.2 ppg) and 11th in rushing defense (82.8 ypg). Lewis has recorded 265 tackles, 33 TFLs, 13.5 sacks, 38 QB pressures, seven forced fumbles and a UT-record tying nine fumble recoveries during his four-year Longhorns career.

This year's semifinalists were determined by confidential balloting of the 29-member Butkus Award selection committee, comprised of the nation's foremost media members. The committee made their selections from the initial watch list of 69 linebackers, which was announced on Aug. 23. Three finalists will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 8 and the 17th Butkus Award winner will be named on Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, at the Butkus Award Presentation Ceremony. The trophy will be presented to the winner by the award's namesake, former University of Illinois and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus.

Regarded as one of the most elite individual honors in college football, the Butkus Award has been honoring the nation's outstanding linebacker since 1985. Past recipients include Dan Morgan (2000, Miami (Fla.)); LaVar Arrington (1999, Penn State); Chris Claiborne (1998, USC); Andy Katzenmoyer (1997, Ohio State); Matt Russell (1996, Colorado); Kevin Hardy (1995, Illinois); Dana Howard (1994, Illinois); Trev Alberts (1993, Nebraska); Marvin Jones (1992, Florida State); Erick Anderson (1991, Michigan); Alfred Williams (1990, Colorado); Percy Snow (1989, Michigan State); Derrick Thomas (1988, Alabama); Paul McGowan (1997, Florida State); and Brian Bosworth (1985 & 1986, Oklahoma).

2001 Butkus Award Semifinalists (in alphabetical order) Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma Andra Davis, Florida Kalimba Edwards, South Carolina Trev Faulk, LSU LeVar Fisher, NC State Larry Foote, Michigan E.J. Henderson, Maryland D.D. Lewis, Texas Ryan Nece, UCLA Ben Taylor, Virginia Tech Robert Thomas, UCLA Josh Thornhill, Michigan State