Alabama senior linebacker C.J. Mosley is the recipient of the 2013 Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate linebacker.

Mosley was presented the award Sunday evening by the award’s namesake, Dick Butkus, during the Alabama Football Team Banquet at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center. Mosley is third Crimson Tide player to win the award, joining Derrick Thomas (1988) and Rolando McClain (2009).

Mosley, from Mobile, Ala., leads an Alabama defense that ranks in the top 15 nationally in scoring defense (2nd), red zone defense (4th), total defense (5th), pass defense (5th), rush defense (11th) and pass efficiency defense (15th).

Mosley finished with 70 points, followed by Buffalo’s Khalil Mack (52), UCLA’s Anthony Barr (44), and Ohio State’s Ryan Shazier (22). Also receiving votes were Wisconsin’s Chris Borland, Stanford’s Trent Murphy and Shayne Skov, Florida State’s Telvin Smith, and Michigan State’s Max Bullough.

Mosley leads the 2013 team with 102 tackles and nine tackles for loss (-20 yards). He has five pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He was the Alabama Defensive Player of the week 11 times in 12 games and ranks fourth in school history with 313 tackles. Mosley has made at least seven tackles in 10 games this season and recorded double digits five times.

Mosley has 86 more tackles than any other Alabama player over the past two seasons. He has been especially good over the past four games, making 43 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss, four quarterback hurries, a force fumble and two pass breakups. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions (LSU and Mississippi State) and was the Lott IMPACT Trophy National Player of the Week following the LSU game.

The 51-person selection committee stated, “This year's college linebacker class was among the best history. Mosley's combination of instincts, range, playmaking ability, on-field leadership and work ethic distinguished his performance. His selfless contributions on special teams and in the community speak to his strength of character and support the Butkus Award mission.”

The Butkus Award inscription reads: "When a player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things. First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America. Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand that this recognition brings a responsibility to serve others by giving back. – Dick Butkus.

The Butkus Award® draws attention to the I Play Clean™ campaign, which encourages athletes to train hard, eat well, and play with attitude instead of using performance-enhancing substances. Butkus encourages athletes, coaches and fans to pledge their support at www.iplayclean.org or on Facebook at I.Play.Clean.

Considered one of the greatest football players in history, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Meanwhile, his son Matt was a defensive lineman for the University of Southern California. More information is at www.thebutkusaward.com or on Facebook at 51.butkus.

 

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