University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Rod Davis Named To Butkus Watch List
8/25/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Rod Davis Named To Butkus Watch List
Hattiesburg, Miss. - The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc., the organization which annually presents the prestigious Butkus Award? to the nation?s best collegiate linebacker has announced the preliminary list of 67 candidates for this year?s award. The Butkus Award? and the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando are celebrating their 18th anniversary.
Junior linebacker Rod Davis (6-3, 246), of Gulfport, Miss., is a member of the preseason watch list. Davis is coming off a 100-tackle season as a sophomore, to go with 94 total stops as a freshman in the 2000 season. He had six double-digit tackle games last season, including a season-best 13 stops against East Carolina.
The Butkus Award? Watch List will be trimmed to 10 semi-finalists on Thursday, October 17. That list will be cut to three finalists, who will be announced via a national teleconference with players, coaches, media members and Butkus Award? officials on Thursday, November 14. The winner will be announced Friday, December 13, 2002.
The Butkus Award? will be presented to the winner by the award?s namesake, former University of Illinois and Chicago Bear NFL Hall of Fame member, Dick Butkus. The finalists, their coaches and families are invited to attend the Butkus Award?. Gala festivities including a welcome reception, golf tournament and silent auction. This year?s Watch List includes 67 noteworthy candidates who represent schools and conferences from across the nation. The independent selection committee for the 2002 Butkus Award?, comprised of 29 of the nation?s foremost national media members, is solely responsible for all voting in the selection process.
Selection Committee members have already started evaluating the candidates and will continue their review throughout the entire football season. Additional Watch List candidates may be added in the coming weeks. Voting for the three Butkus Award? finalists and the Butkus Award? winner will be conducted by 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 Rocky Calmus (2001-Oklahoma); Dan Morgan (2000-U. of Miami); LaVar Arrington (1999-Penn State); Chris Claiborne (1998-Southern California); 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 and 1986-Oklahoma).
Created in 1985 by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando Inc., the Butkus Award? carries the name and support of one of the greatest middle linebackers in football history, Dick Butkus.
The complete 2002 watch list includes:
Archer, Phil Minnesota
Bailey, Boss Georgia
Barnett, Nick Oregon State
Barr, Fred Iowa
Bates, Solomon Arizona State
Boulware, Michael Florida State
Briggs, Lance Arizona
Brown, Chris Hawaii
Brown, Michael Louisville
Brupbacher, Ross LA-Lafayette
Bua, Tony Arkansas
Burnette, Dantonio North Carolina State
Crowell, Angelo Virginia
Davis, Rod Southern Miss
Deckart, Sheldon Utah
Doyle, Sean Missouri
Flugence, Lawrence Texas Tech
Gamble, Brian Texas A&M
Gardner, David Toledo
Garrett, John Baylor
Gilbert, Tony Georgia
Haggan, Mario Mississippi State
Hardmon, Bryon Florida
Hayes, Gerald Pittsburgh
Henderson, E.J. Maryland
Hobson, Victor Michigan
James, Bradie LSU
Johnson, Derrick Texas
Johnson, Landon Purdue
Labinjo, Mike Michigan State
Lehman, Teddy Oklahoma
Mahdavi, Ben Washington
McDonald, LeMarcus TCU
Mitchell, Kawika South Florida
Mitchell, Kevin Oregon State
Moore, Eddie Tennessee
Morrison, Kirk San Diego State
Moss, Charles New Mexico
Myers, Ryan Akron
Pauly, Eric Colorado State
Penright, Jarrod Texas A&M
Pierce, Terry Kansas State
Pope, Kendyll Florida State
Robillard, Matt Miami (OH)
Rodriguez, Robert UTEP
Rudd, Barrett Nebraska
Schumacher, Jerry Illinois
Scott, Lorenzo Ball State
Seigler, Richard Oregon State
Shanle, Scott Nebraska
Smith, Clifton Syracuse
Smith, Daryl Georgia Tech
Stewart, LaMar Penn State
Strong, Eddie Mississippi
Thomas, Dontarrious Auburn
Tinoisamoa, Pisa Hawaii
Vilma, Jonathan Miami (FL)
Viloria, Vic SMU
Wahlroos, Drew Colorado
Watson, Courtney Notre Dame
Wiley, Grant West Virginia
Wilhelm, Matt Ohio State
Williams, DJ Miami
Williamson, John East Carolina
Wimbush, Recardo Georgia Tech
Wood, Drew Colorado State
Woods, Michael Middle Tennessee
