Butkus Award Finalists Announced

[Jordan]

Butkus Award Finalists Announced - DeMeco Ryans

The 3 finalists for the Butkus Award, awarded annually to the best NCAA linebacker in the country, were announced today. Included in these three finalists is Alabama's own DeMeco Ryans. He has been one of the most talented linebackers to come through Alabama in recent years, and carries his prestige both on and off the field.

Ryans set the single-game tackle record at Alabama, and comes in near the top of other school records as well. Despite his committment to excel in football, he has also kept up a 3.7 GPA to graduate cum laude in December with a Managment degree from Alabama's Culverhouse College of Commerce & Business Administration. He has also been nominated for other awards this year including the Draddy Award, the Lott Trophy, the Wuerffel Trophy, and the Lombardi Award.

The other 2 finalists are Paul Posluszny of Penn State and A.J. Hawk of Ohio State. Congratulations to these players for their accomplishments. Lets support DeMeco to bring this home to Alabama as well as the SEC.

[GeauxTo]

DeMeco Ryans certainly gets my vote. What is even more interesting, I think, is this set of Bama linebackers has at least one other linebacker that is about as good as DeMeco; that being Freddie Roach.

[Jordan]

I agree that Roach is an outstanding player as well, but I think Ryans has been a lot more consistent over his years here. Roach has done great things, but to me doesn't quite compare to what Ryans has done. And the fact that Ryans does all of this while being a near-perfect student just makes him an all-around better candidate.... college athletes are called "student athletes" for a reason. And this guy gives that phrase the perfect balance of both words.

[BAMAMARINE]

Ok here is my .02 cents on Roach. The reason I think he hasnt been consistent is because he has changed posistions as we all know. First he started in the middle, splitting time with Pope, and even worked some on the outside. Then as a sophmore he played some outside and inside, then as a junior he played weak side when Simpson was hurt. I am not doubting your knowledge one bit Jordan, but I think he has been consistent. The reason he hasnt been so consisntent stat wise, (I think) is because a sam(strong side) linebacker and a will(weak side) is more like mop up duties, they are gonna get more tackles, in the middle it is dirty work you have to fill holes and take on fullbacks and down field blocking lineman. I am not saying that Freddie is better than Demeco, Demeco is very very deserving of this honor, but even without my Crimson colored glasses I think Freddie is the one of the top2 linebackers for his posistion and Demeco is also.

[TKE223]

Gotta play devils advocate here, and I am sure you guys will rip me to pieces. Anyway, I think Poslusny (however you spell it) is the top candidate. And the eventual winner will be from the team with the better record. If Bama goes down against LSU and LSU hits them up for 30 points, I think Ryans will not get the nod. Right now, i think Penn State is the bigger "feel good" story and the way humans vote is all based on emotion if talent is equal.

[nooneLT]

DeMeco is more fundamentally sound in tackling, but Freddie is a hoss at pass defense as a LB. Freddie also saw time last year as a DE. when he lost out at MLB he was basically the ultimate sub, cause he played both sides of LB, MLB, and DE.