University Southern California Trojans
Claiborne Captures Butkus Award
June 21, 1999 | Football
December 11, 1998
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - USC's Chris Claiborne received the Butkus Award on Friday night as the top college linebacker, edging Texas A&M's Dat Nguyen 105-103 in the closest voting in the award's history.
Claiborne, the first Pacific-10 winner, leads the Trojans with 107 tackles, 77 unassisted. The junior also has six interceptions and five sacks.
"I'm very excited and very surprised -- that makes it that much more sweeter," he said. "I'm happy I get to bring it back to the West Coast."
Claiborne, the subject of speculation that he will enter next spring's NFL draft, did not rule out returning for his senior season.
"I'm loving college," Claiborne said. "I'm having a good time. You only get to do college once. I got until January to decide."
Florida's Jevon Kearse was the third finalist for the award, presented by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando.
