Sam Olajubutu Named as a Bednarik Award Semifinalist

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas linebacker Sam Olajubutu is a semifinalist for the 12th Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the outstanding defensive player of the year it was announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Wednesday.

Olajubutu is one of 15 semifinalists selected by the Maxwell Football Club Advisory Committee. The senior from LaGrange, Ga., is posting another standout season at linebacker for the 6-1 Razorbacks. He leads the Razorbacks and ranks among Southeastern Conference leaders with 72 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss (-34). He also has 1.5 sacks (-8) and 12 quarterback hurries. He has already been named as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award and was also featured on national watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Award, the Lombardi Award and the Lott Trophy. He was selected by CollegeFootballNews.com to its 2006 Mid-season All-America team. Olajubutu has played in 31 consecutive games, but will not play this weekend after suffering a bone bruise and sprained ligament in his left knee in last weekend’s victory over Ole Miss.

“Sam continues to be recognized nationally for his outstanding play and leadership on this football team,” Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt. “He consistently gives full effort and delivers results. He is an example for his teammates in how to go about playing college football. While we won’t have him for this weekend, we are hopeful he can re-join us for the game at South Carolina. I know he will do everything in his power to get back on the field soon.”

The announcement of the winner of the Bednarik Award will be made during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show that will be broadcast on ESPN on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006. Three finalists for the award will be in attendance for the ESPN broadcast. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club’s Awards Dinner, to be held on Friday March 2, 2007, at the Harrah’s Entertainment Complex in Atlantic City, N.J.

2006 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists

Player, School, Position, Class

Gaines Adams, Clemson, DE, Sr.

H.B. Blades, Pittsburgh, LB, Sr.

Mkristo Bruce, Washington State, DE, Sr.

Dan Connor, Penn State, LB, Jr.

Buster Davis, Florida State, LB, Sr.

Daymeion Hughes, California, DB, Sr.

James Laurinatis, Ohio State, LB, Soph.

Quentin Moses, Georgia, DE, Sr.

Sam Olajubutu, Arkansas, LB, Sr.

Quinn Pitcock, Ohio State, DL, Sr.

Paul Posluszny, Penn State, LB, Sr.

Brandon Siler, Florida, LB, Jr.

Eric Weddle, Utah, DB, Sr.

Patrick Willis, Ole Miss, LB, Sr.

Lamar Woodley, Michigan, LB, Sr.