Butkus field narrowed

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s Channing Crowder and Virginia’s Ahmad Brooks headline a list of 12 semifinalists named Thursday for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker.

Also named to the list: Southern Mississippi’s Michael Boley; Tennessee’s Kevin Burnett; Southern Cal’s Matt Grootegoed; UCLA’s Spencer Havner; Ohio State’s A.J. Hawk; Texas’ Derrick Johnson; Oklahoma’s Lance Mitchell; San Diego State’s Kirk Morrison; Georgia’s Odell Thurman, and Miami’s Leon Williams.

Three finalists for the award, handed out by The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, will be named Nov. 11, with the winner announced Dec. 10.

Oklahoma’s Teddy Lehman won the award last season.