Rewind: Sooner Football 2015 Preseason National Award Candidates
By Chip Rouse
Dominique Alexander
Nov 8, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) runs with the ball while being pursued by Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Dominique Alexander (1) during the second half at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Alexander, who will be a junior this season, has appeared in all 26 OU games his first two seasons. The All-Big 12 second-team selection in 2014 is a preseason candidate for three national awards in 2015:
Butkus Award – Honoring the top linebacker in the country at the high school, college and professional levels. Brian Bosworth of Oklahoma was the first recipient of the award in 1985. The “Boz” also won the Butkus Award in 1986. Other Sooner winners include Rocky Calmus in 2001 and Teddy Lehman in 2003.
Rotary Lombardi Award – This will be the 46th year for the Lombardi Award, which is presented annually to college football top “down” lineman. The definition used for a down lineman is any player who lines up no further than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball on the line of scrimmage, or no further than five yards behind the line of scrimmage. Past Oklahoma winners include Lee Roy Selmon (1975), Tony Casillas (1985) and Tommie Harris (2003).
Nagurski Award – The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is now in its 23rd season. The award is given to the player considered by a panel of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensive player in college football. Former Sooners Roy Williams (2001) and Derrick Strait (2003).
Next: Center Ty Darlington