Wake Forest LB Curry wins Butkus Award

Dec 9, 2008 - 10:04 PM WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Wake Forest senior Aaron Curry was recognized for his outstanding season Tuesday by winning the Butkus Award, annually presented to the nation's top linebacker.

Curry received 14 first-place votes and 63 total points to barely finish atop a talented list of candidates.

"It's amazing and an honor to receive this award," Curry said. "To be mentioned in the same sentence as Dick Butkus with the things he has done on the field and off the field, I'm just hoping that I get the chance to repeat the same intensity he instilled and the determination to punish the opponent."

Curry certainly punished his opponents this season, finishing with 101 tackles - including 15 for a loss. He also recorded three fumble recoveries, forced a fumble and had an interception.

"I know I got the right guy," Butkus said. "And if you see the list, it's quite a list. It was a tight choice, but we're satisfied with who we have picking them. And if you've seen this guy play, you know he deserves it."

Curry placed just ahead of Southern California linebacker Rey Maualuga, who finished with 56 points. Ohio State's James Laurinaitis, the 2007 Butkus winner, was third with 45 points.

Other linebackers who received consideration were USC's Brian Cushing (27 points) and Boston College's Mark Herzlich (11).