Johnson first Texas player to win Butkus Award
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Texas linebacker Derrick Johnson won the Butkus Award on Friday night as the nation's best linebacker.
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| Derrick Johnson is this year's winner of the Butkus Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. (Getty Images) |
Johnson, who was a Butkus finalist last year as a junior, led the Longhorns this season with 128 tackles, 78 solo and 19 for loss. He also added two sacks, one interception and eight forced fumbles for No. 6 Texas, which faces No. 13 Michigan in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day.
Johnson has already been named the winner of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation's best defensive player. He was also a finalist for the Lombardi Award, given to the top college lineman. Georgia's David Pollack won the Lombardi.
Named for Hall of Fame linebacker Dick Butkus, the award is presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando.
