Standout linebackers at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops Standout linebackers at Oklahoma under Bob Stoops
Published: September 21, 2007
It's a constant. Coach Bob Stoops has always had standout linebackers since he's been at OU. After three strong performances, Curtis Lofton appears to be the next in a long tradition of celebrated Sooner linebackers. Here are some other greats under Stoops:
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Rufus Alexander: Last year, Alexander was the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year, leading OU with 118 tackles.
The outside backer from Baton Rouge was also selected as an All-American.
Lance Mitchell: In 2002, Mitchell transferred to OU from San Francisco CC and was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year as a junior.
After suffering a torn ACL early in 2003, he received a hardship and was able to return in 2004 to make 78 tackles.
Teddy Lehman: In 2002, Lehman was a consensus All-American and the Big 12's Defensive Player of the Year.
He finished the season with 112 tackles, 17 for loss, and two sacks, and was one of the three finalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker. Lehman's top highlight came against Texas when he returned an interception created by OU safety Roy Williams for a game-clinching touchdown.
Torrance Marshall: In OU's national championship run in 2000, Marshall saved the season by returning an interception 41 yards for a game-winning touchdown late in a 35-31 win at Texas A&M.
Twice in three weeks, the all-conference linebacker was the nation's Defensive Player of the Week.
Rocky Calmus: Calmus was Stoops' first great linebacker, winning the Butkus Award in 2001. He was a three-time all-conference player and won Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior. Calmus was also a consensus two-time All-American.
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According to theofficial site he was a finalist in 2002 (as mentioned in the article), and won in 2003. No idea why they omitted the win.
http://www.butkusaward.org/pastwin55.html
That is what I thought. I was almost 100 percent sure that OU had 4 Butkus winners. Boz twice and then Calmus and Lehman. How did the paper miss that Lehman won it?
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