TRIPLE P
December 5th, 2006, 10:34:20 AM
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=laurinitisnagurski&prov=st&type=lgns
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Linebacker James Laurinaitis, the heart of the defense of top-ranked Ohio State, became the first sophomore to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Laurinaitis was named the winner Monday night at an awards banquet at the Westin Hotel. Since its inception in 1993, the award has gone to college football's top defensive player.
Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, the only two-time Nagurski Award winner in 1995 and 1996, gave the main address.
'"It was an honor to be here," Laurinaitis said. "To be with this level of players, it's kind of surreal, me being the young guy. I was in high school when these guys were (already) in college. I definitely could not have done it without the entire defensive line and the whole defense."
"What I like about him is he is instinctive," said Fitzgerald, whose Wildcats lost to the Buckeyes this season. "He has those things you like to see in a linebacker. He can run. He is very physical against blockers and at the point of attack. And he catches it extremely well. He had five interceptions. Those are the things which stand out to me."
Lauriinaitis became the leader of a defense that lost three starters to the first round of the NFL draft, including star linebacker A.J Hawk. He backstopped the Buckeyes to the No. 2 scoring defense in the nation at 10.4 points per game.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Linebacker James Laurinaitis, the heart of the defense of top-ranked Ohio State, became the first sophomore to win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Laurinaitis was named the winner Monday night at an awards banquet at the Westin Hotel. Since its inception in 1993, the award has gone to college football's top defensive player.
Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, the only two-time Nagurski Award winner in 1995 and 1996, gave the main address.
'"It was an honor to be here," Laurinaitis said. "To be with this level of players, it's kind of surreal, me being the young guy. I was in high school when these guys were (already) in college. I definitely could not have done it without the entire defensive line and the whole defense."
"What I like about him is he is instinctive," said Fitzgerald, whose Wildcats lost to the Buckeyes this season. "He has those things you like to see in a linebacker. He can run. He is very physical against blockers and at the point of attack. And he catches it extremely well. He had five interceptions. Those are the things which stand out to me."
Lauriinaitis became the leader of a defense that lost three starters to the first round of the NFL draft, including star linebacker A.J Hawk. He backstopped the Buckeyes to the No. 2 scoring defense in the nation at 10.4 points per game.