Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny, who attended the Butkus Award ceremony in Orlando tonight even though coach Joe Paterno would have preferred that he stay in State College, will be returning with a little extra luggage. After winning the Butkus Award he’ll be bringing back some additional hardware to add to his burgeoning trophy case. Posluszny beat out Ohio State linebacker A. J. Hawk and Alabama linebacker DeMeco Ryan. Hawk had previously won the Lombardi Award while Posluszny had won the Bednarik Award.
“They’re both huge honors, but I’d have to say, as a linebacker, that this one means a lot more to me,” Posluszny said. “Playing linebacker, to win the Butkus Award means you’re the top person at your position and that’s the biggest thing you can do.”
It is refreshing that with all the media hype about Hawk versus the relatively sparse commentary about Posluszny that the award count is Poz 2, Hawk 1.
Posluszny joins LaVar Arrington, 1999 winner, as the only two Nittany Lions who have won the Butkus Award in its 21 year history.
