Lehman Named A Finalist For Butkus Award

Nov. 14, 2002

Oklahoma Teddy Lehman has been named a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award, which is presented annually to college football's top linebacker. The award is sponsored by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando and will be presented Dec. 13.

The other two finalists are Maryland's E.J. Henderson and Notre Dame's Courtney Watson.

This marks the third consecutive year that an Oklahoma player has been a finalist for the Butkus Award. Rocky Calmus was a finalist in 2000 and 2001 and won the honor in 2001. Brian Bosworth also won the honor in 1985 and 1986 giving OU three Butkus trophies. No other school has produced more than two winners.

"There is a great tradition of winning awards here," Lehman said. "Having Rocky win this award was a huge motivation for me. I know what it means to Rocky. It's also a motivation because of the people who have played here like Rocky and Brian Bosworth and all of the other great players."

OU head coach Bob Stoops praised Lehman for his versatility.

"Teddy means so much to our program," Stoops said. "He's a captain as a junior and is a real team leader for us. It would be hard to us to ask a lot more from a player than we do from Teddy."

As for Lehman's attributes, Stoops named many.

"The most impressive part of Teddy's game is just his ability," he said. "His ability to run and make plays from sideline to sideline is special. He has incredible range. He's the best I've ever coached in pass coverage. And he is very good against the run, which linebackers have to be first and foremost."

Lehman, a junior from Fort Gibson, Okla., moved to the weakside linebacker spot this season, but downplayed the new position.

"I guess you get to be on the perimeter a little more," he said. "You have the opportunity to make some tackles in the open field, but there isn't that much difference. It really hasn't been that big a change."

Through nine games, Lehman has 83 tackles, including 11 for minus yardage. He has two pass interceptions, which he has returned 51 yards, along with two fumble recoveries, six passes defended, six quarterback hurries and one fumble forced.

All three finalists will travel to Orlando to participate in several activities, including the award presentation itself.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Lehman Named A Finalist For Butkus Award

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