ORLANDO, Fla. -- Teddy Lehman of top-ranked Oklahoma is
one of 11 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, given annually to the
best linebacker in college football.
Lehman, a finalist for the award last season and the Sooners' leading tackler this season, tops the list of semifinalists announced Thursday by the
Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando.
One of the fastest linebackers in the country, Lehman had 17 tackles
and an interception in a 59-24 win over UCLA on Sept. 20. He has 44 tackles for the season.
Second-ranked Miami has two players on the list -- Jonathan Vilma and D.J. Williams.
The other semifinalists are Michael Boulware of Florida State, Josh Buhl
of Kansas State, Karlos Dansby of Auburn, Rod Davis of Southern Mississippi,
Matt Grootegoed of Southern California, Derrick Johnson of Texas,
Courtney Watson of Notre Dame and Demorrio Williams of Nebraska.
The three finalists will be announced Nov. 13 and the winner
will be revealed on Dec. 12.