Butkus Award Recipient to Once Again Perform Ceremonial Coin Toss at Divison I Midget National Championship Game

ORLANDO - The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc. (DACO), the organization which annually presents the prestigious Butkus Award® to the nation's best collegiate linebacker, has announced the three finalists for this year's award.

Dan Connor-Penn State
Jordon Dizon-Colorado
James Laurinaitis-Ohio State

The winner will be announced in December in Orlando, FL. The independent Butkus Award ® Selection Committee for the 2007 Butkus Award ®, comprised of some of the nation's foremost journalists, is solely and exclusively responsible for all voting in the Butkus Award ® selection process. Voting for the three finalists and the Butkus Award ® winner will be conducted by exclusive confidential ballots of the Selection Committee.

The Butkus Award ® is regarded as one of the most elite individual honors in college football. Past recipients include such outstanding linebackers as:

Patrick Willis (2006-Mississippi)
Paul Posluszny (2005-Penn State)
Derrick Johnson (2004-Texas)
Teddy Lehman (2003-Oklahoma)
E.J. Henderson (2002-Maryland)
Rocky Calmus (2001-Oklahoma)
Dan Morgan (2000-Miami (FL)
LaVar Arrington (1999-Penn State)
Chris Claiborne (1998-Southern Cal)
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)
Brian Bosworth (1985 and 1986-Oklahoma)

Created in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando Inc., the Butkus Award ® carries the name of one of the greatest middle linebackers in football history.

Visit the Butkus Award Website