The last time a defensive player won the Heisman was the do-it-all Charles Woodson in 1997.
That is 10 years in which a defensive player has not even sniffed the Heisman, and with the explosion of offenses in college football it does not seem likely that the trend will reverse.
So say you are a linebacker playing college football. Aside from helping your team win a title, what personal goals can you possibly have? You will not win the Heisman.
But you can win the Butkus. Since 1985, the Butkus Award is given to the best linebacker in the land.
This year, there are three candidates that qualify for this award in my opinion, and they are:
1. Ray Maualuga, No. 58, USC
This 6'3" 250 pound Linebacker has terrorized the Pac-10 (although apparently so do Mountain West Conference teams these days) for much of his career at USC. This year though, the man has played lights out, leading the Trojans with 66 tackles. He has a knack for the big plays, and has two interceptions this year. He also is a Lombardi and Bednarik Award Finalist.
2. James Laurinaitis, No. 33, OSU
Also at 6'3" and 250 pounds, Laurinaitis is the defending Butkus and Nagurski Award winner, and it will be hard to unseat this Big Ten Linebacker. He is exceptionally smart when it comes to the game. He leads the team with 109 tackles this year, and has two interceptions, three sacks, and a forced fumble.
3. Jasper Brinkley, No. 52, S. Carolina
Jasper Brinkley leads a stingy against everyone except Florida defense, and as a 6'2" 275 pound monster, he is the cornerstone, as well as the emotional leader of this team. His team is a bit under the radar, but his accomplishments are not. He has 45 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, and a forced fumble for the Gamecocks.
Out of this short list, the winner of the Butkus Award should be...
James Laurinaitis.
Aside from being the defending winner, I mean 109 tackles? He is a great player who deserves this award, and will probably win it.
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about 1 month ago
Laurinaitis didn't deserve it over Connor last year, and you know it. Anyway, what about Navarro? He is a beast. He is everywhere, tipping balls, tackling receivers, running backs, making sacks. He is all over the field, he is an amazing linebacker.
from about 1 month ago
Isaac,
Let's be realistic. Navarro is nowhere near as good as these guys.
from about 1 month ago
But he is. And he's probably better. Lauranaitis is overrated. I didn't want to say it, but its true. Navarro Bowman plays the hardest and the best out of all of them. I watch basically every college football game, and Lauranaitis is going down hill, Maualuga is somewhat overrated, and he never does that well, and I've never even heard of Brinkley. Navarro is a much better LB than people give him credit for.
from about 1 month ago
Isaac, please be intelligent when leaving your comments...
about 1 month ago
I'm going to go with Zack Follett. 64 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 3 pass deflections, and over 10 tackles for loss this season so far.
from about 1 month ago
Good pick. Although playing for Cal, he isn't even the best linebacker in his own conference. That's Ray.
about 1 month ago
Lauranaitis will win it again. And a side-note. Woodson was the only player to ever win the Heisman as a primarily defensive player.
from about 1 month ago
Figured. That would only make sense.
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