Local voter, stats favor Buff’s Dizon
Senior Jordon Dizon is one of three finalists for the Butkus Award, which will be announced Friday by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando.
Dizon competes with No. 1 Ohio State’s James Laurinaitis and Penn State’s Dan Connor for the honor given to the nation’s best linebacker.
B.G. Brooks, Rocky Mountain News writer and one of 40 voters for the award, said the finalists this year are all strong candidates.
“I think this is a very representative three finalists, ranking right up there with all the years,” Brooks said. “I think that the award is on the mark most years in honoring the top linebackers.”
While Brooks said both the Big 12, where CU plays, and Big Ten, Penn State’s and Ohio State’s conference, are good conferences. But Dizon played a tougher schedule at Colorado.
“I think Dizon may have played the stiffer competition this year,” Brooks said. “For him to have led the conference in tackles and be the coaches’ defensive player of the year is a pretty big statement.”
Although Brooks said Dizon stands out for a variety of reasons, all the finalists are capable of taking their talent to the professional level.
“I think all three can play in the NFL,” Brooks said.
The winner will be announced Friday in Orlando.
Jordon Dizon
School: Colorado
Year: Senior
Hometown: Kauai, Hawaii
Height: 6-0 Weight: 220
Tackles: 149 total – 107 solo, 42 assisted
Career High vs. Colorado State: 15 solo and five assisted tackles
Statistically, Dizon stands out from the other two finalists. He finished the season as No. 2 in the nation in tackles, and led through a majority of the season. He also finished No. 1 in solo tackles.
Dizon had two interceptions, both this season, for 79 yards and one touchdown.
“This is a performance award, and I think certainly his performance speaks for itself,” Brooks said.
In addition to his statistical performance, Brooks said Dizon has improved every year and the leadership he brings off the field is as impressive as his performance on the field.
“If somebody really wanted to dig into it and call some NFL scouts, talk to some coaches in the league whose team played against Dizon, that’s as much evidence as you really would want,” Brooks said. “I think it is pretty easy to make a case for him.”
Dizon was Brook’s first choice for the award.
Dan Connor
School: Penn State
Year: Senior
Hometown: Wallingford, Penn.
Height: 6-3 Weight: 233
Tackles: 136 total – 66 solo, 70 assisted
Career High vs. Ohio State: 13 solo and five assisted tackles
Penn State sees its third consecutive Butkus Award finalist in Dan Connor. Even with so many successful linebackers, Connor became Penn State’s career tackle leader this season.
Connor is No. 7 in the nation in tackles, and leads the Big Ten.
While his statistics are not as outstanding as Dizon’s, Brooks said Connor has been a solid football player overall.
“Connor had decent statistics but over his career at Penn State he has been a very good linebacker,” Brooks said.
James Laurinaitis
School: Ohio State
Year: Junior
Hometown: Hamel, Minn.
Height: 6-3 Weight: 240
Tackles: 103 total – 39 solo, 64 assisted
Career High vs. Wisconsin: nine solo and 10 assisted tackles
James Laurinaitis may be the youngest of the three, but the junior linebacker is already familiar with the title. This is his second year as a Butkus Award finalist.
Laurinaitis is No. 65 in the nation in tackles, and tied for No. 7 in the Big 10. He has two career interceptions for 16 yards.
Despite the statistics, though, the Buckeye linebacker has helped his team to their second consecutive chance at a national title.
“Laurinaitis’ statistics weren’t as good as Dizon, but he is playing on a team for the national championship,” Brooks said.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Margot Schneider at margot.schneider@thecampuspress.com
