| RedHawks Set Record with Three Butkus Nominees |
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| Written by Dave Ruthenberg |
| Thursday, August 14 2008 |
Miami LB Clayton Mullins
Seven Mid-American Conference linebackers were recently named to the preseason watch list of the 2008 Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's top collegiate linebacker, including three linebackers from Miami.
It is believed that it is the first time since the inception of the Butkus Award in 1985 that one school has landed a trio of players on the preseason watch list which this season includes a total of sixty-six players nationwide.
Heading the list of MAC nominees is the 2007 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, RedHawks' senior weak-side linebacker Clayton Mullins who is the MAC's leading returning tackler after recording 143 tackles last season. Also named from Miami were senior Joey Hudson and junior Caleb Bostic.
"It's a great compliment to our program and our defense and to our three guys in general," noted Miami head coach Shane Montgomery of his squad's three nominees. "Especially since this award is named after one of the greatest players of all-time, Dick Butkus."
Joining the Miami trio on the list from the MAC are Eastern Michigan's Daniel Holtclaw, Derek Burrell of Kent State, Akron's Kevin Grant and Bryant Haines of Ball State.
A complete breakdown of each player with their 2007 statistics appears below.
The winner of the Butkus Award will be presented by the Butkus Foundation on January 13, 2009 in Chicago.
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Player
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School
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Class
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Tackles
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Tackles for Loss
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Clayton Mullins
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Miami
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Senior
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143
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13.5
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Bryant Haines
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Ball State
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Senior
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125
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7.0
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Daniel Holtzclaw
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Eastern Michigan
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Senior
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125
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5.0
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Derek Burrell
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Kent State
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Senior
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112
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5.0
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Caleb Bostic
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Miami
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Junior
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103
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11.0
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Joey Hudson
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Miami
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Senior
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99
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8.0
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Kevin Grant
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Akron
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Senior
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74
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8.0
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