Vilma & Williams Named Butkus Award Semi-Finalists
Oct. 16, 2003
Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Two University of Miami linebackers – senior middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma and senior weakside linebacker D.J. Williams – are among 11 semi-finalists for the 2003 Butkus Award, the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando (DACO), Inc., announced Thursday morning. The Butkus Award is awarded annually to the best linebacker in college football.
Vilma and Williams have been key factors in Miami’s 6-0 start, spearheading a defensive effort that has the No. 2-ranked Hurricanes currently listed among the top 20 nationally in total defense (17th – 302.5 yards allowed per game), scoring defense (15th – 15.50 points per game), and pass efficiency defense (16th – 103.04 rating). The Hurricanes currently lead the BIG EAST Conference in pass defense yards allowed (24th nationally – 186.67 yards per game) and rank second in the conference in every other major defensive category.
Vilma leads the Hurricanes in tackles with 48 through six games, including 29 unassisted stops. The senior from Coral Gables, Fla., also has 4.5 tackles for losses, one quarterback sack, two quarterback hurries and a pass broken up.
Williams ranks third on the team in tackles with 39, including 19 solo stops. The senior from Pittsburg, Calif., has made 3.5 tackles for losses, has one quarterback sack and has forced one fumble. Williams also returned a fumble recovery 78 yards for a touchdown against Louisiana Tech.
Miami is the only school in the nation to place two players among the 11 semi-finalists. Traditionally, 10 semi-finalists are named, but there was a tie for 10th place in the voting. This is the fourth time in five years that there have been more than 10 semi-finalists. The Butkus Award has been presented since 1985.
On Thursday, November 13, 2003, DACO will announce the three finalists for this year’s Butkus Award at a national press/teleconference in Orlando. The three Butkus Award finalists and their coaches will participate in the announcement. The 2003 Butkus Award winner will be announced at the Butkus Award Presentation Ceremony on Friday, December 12, 2003 at the Renaissance Orlando Resort at Sea World.
The 11 semi-finalists (in alphabetical order) for the 2003 Butkus Award are:
Michael Boulware Florida StateJosh Buhl Kansas StateKarlos Dansby AuburnRod Davis Southern MississippiMatt Grootegoed USCDerrick Johnson TexasTeddy Lehman OklahomaJonathan Vilma MiamiCourtney Watson Notre DameDemorrio Williams NebraskaD.J. Williams Miami
