Denman up for linebacker award
Special to The Observer
Notre Dame senior inside linebacker Anthony Denman is one of 70 candidates for the 2000 Butkus Award presented by Cooper Tire. The award is given annually to the nation's best collegiate linebacker by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando.
The 6-2, 235-pounder led the Irish with 59 solo tackles a season ago and also had three fumble recoveries. Denman was Notre Dame's leading tackler in six games a year ago.
Denman was a member of Football News' all-Independent team last year and was named NBC Sports/Chevrolet Notre Dame MVP for his efforts against Michigan State.
The independent selection committee, comprised of 28 of the nation's foremost media members, begins reviewing the candidates this week and more players may be added to the watch list. The committee will select 10 semifinalists on Oct. 19.
Subsequently, the three finalists will be announced on Nov. 9, at Spectator's Sports Bar at the Downtown Marriott Orlando. The 2000 Butkus Award winner will be announced Friday, Dec. 8, during the Butkus Award Gala at Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios CityWalk.
Last season, former Penn State linebacker LaVar Arrington won the award before becoming the second selection in the NFL draft. Former Butkus Award winners include Trev Alberts (1993-Nebraska), Percy Snow (1989-Michigan State) and Derrick Thomas (1988-Alabama).
Denman joins an impressive list of candidates from around the country including North Carolina's Brandon Spoon, who is the first player in the 16-year history of the Butkus Award to be named to the watch list four years in a row. Miami's Dan Morgan and Virginia's Byron Thweatt are both on the watch list for the third time their careers.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, August 30, 2000
