DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — The committee for the Butkus Award doesn't make a habit of including sophomores on its list of finalists, but James Laurinaitis' numbers were just too hard to ignore.

He became the second Ohio State player in as many years and just the third sophomore overall to survive the final cut for the award, which goes to the nation's outstanding linebacker. He is fifth in the Big Ten with 86 tackles and tied for first in interceptions with five. He also has four sacks and 8.5 tackles for losses.

Penn State senior Paul Posluszny, who won it last year, and Mississippi senior Patrick Willis were the other finalists, and the winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 7.

"The thing about recognition is normally it has to do with production, and he's had excellent production," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "You get noticed when you produce.

"But he'll be the first to tell you a lot of that is because he's got some guys upfront creating problems for people, and he's got some guys behind him getting everyone lined up."

The only other sophomores to be named finalists — OSU's Andy Katzenmoyer (1997) and Oklahoma's Brian Bosworth ('85) — both took home the award.

Former Buckeye A.J. Hawk was a finalist last year. Posluszny is trying to become the first two-time winner since Bosworth (1985-86).

Pitcock selected

OSU defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock was named as one of seven semifinalists for the Lott Trophy, which goes to a college football player who distinguishes himself by his performance on the field and high character off it.

The list will be pared to three Nov. 25, and the winner will be chosen Dec. 10.