Orlando, FL (My Sportsbook) - Maryland's E.J. Henderson has been named the winner of the Dick Butkus Award as the nation's top collegiate linebacker. Henderson also won the Bednarik Award as the nation's top defensive player on Thursday. He was also a finalist for the Butkus last season. The senior capped his outstanding four-year career at Maryland with 163 tackles, including 123 solo, this season. He also had 15 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks. "I'm glad all the hard work has paid off," said Henderson, a 6-2, 250-pounder who recovered from back surgery in April. "Over the summer, when I was spending the extra time working out, all I was thinking about was making it back to Orlando as a Butkus Award finalist. I didn't want to disappoint anybody by being someone who was a finalist as a junior but not as a senior. This award is proof I didn't fall off despite the back injury." The other finalists for this year's award were Oklahoma's Teddy Lehman and Notre Dame's Courtney Watson. The award is named for former University of Illinois and Chicago Bear star Dick Butkus. |
