White voted LSU’s first Butkus winner

Devin White always said he wanted to leave LSU known as the Tigers’ best linebacker of all-time.

Tuesday he made a strong case when was named the winner of the Butkus Award, which each year is presented to college football’s best linebacker.

He’s the first LSU player to win the award in the 34 years it’s been presented.

White went to LSU out of Springhill better known as a star running back at North Webster High School, but then-head coach Les Miles convinced him early in his career that his future was at linebacker.

Apparently it was a good choice as the national award was presented to him Tuesday by Matt Butkus, son of the trophy’s namesake, legendary Chicago Bears’ linebacker Dick Butkus.

Other finalists for the award were Kentucky’s Josh Allen, Michigan’s Devin Bush, Clemson’s Tre Lamar and Baton Rouge native Dylan Moses of Alabama.

White is the first LSU player to win a national award since Odell Beckham Jr. won the Paul Hornung Award in 2013.

White is a junior, although he is expected to leave school after this season for the NFL draft. He will, however, play in the Tigers’ Fiesta Bowl game against Central Florida on Jan. 1.

His 115 tackles this season makes him the seventh LSU player to have back-to-back seasons with 100-plus tackles. He’s coming off his career-best night against Texas A&M, when he made 17 tackles — four for loss — including a sack and a forced fumble.

Last year he set a Southeastern Conference record when he was named the league’s defensive player of the week four times.

In his career, White has 278 career tackles — 29 for loss — and 81⁄2 sacks. He has eight takeaways — four fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and an interception.””<p>LSU Tigers linebacker Devin White (40) reaches to make the stop on Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Justin Fields (1) during their SEC matchup at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (Rick Hickman/Lake Charles American Press)</p>Rick Hickman””<p>LSU Tigers linebacker Devin White (40) and linebacker Jacob Phillips (6) stops Miami Hurricanes running back DeeJay Dallas (13) during the Advocare Classic at AT&amp;T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday, September 2, 2018. (Dennis Babineaux/Special to the American Press)</p>

SportsPlus

Crime

11/6: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Reinvestment in Mid-City neighborhood begins

Local News

Avenue of Flags returns a day ahead

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls want to keep building

McNeese Sports

Cowboys looking to rebound…literally

Local News

APPJ fighting Coushatta land trust acquisitions

Local News

Donald Trump has sweeping plans for a second administration. Here’s what he’s proposed

McNeese Sports

Leak heats up Cowboy defense

Local News

Trump wins White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column: Gerstner Field remembered

Local News

Trump wins Georgia, moving closer to reclaiming White House

Local News

Beauregard, Vernon voters favor Trump

Local News

GOP reclaims Senate majority

Local News

Republican Higgins wins re-election bid for US House

Local News

Bowers elected newest member of Calcasieu Police Jury

Local News

Early election takeaways: Trump weakens Democrats’ coalition

Local News

Vidrine elected to serve as Oakdale’s next mayor

Local News

Trump wins North Carolina while votes are still being counted in other key states

Local News

Voters statewide approve constitutional amendment

Local News

Judge Davis elected newest member of Court of Appeal

Local News

Jeff Davis elects two new mayors, re-elects police chief

Local News

Cameron voters approve four bond issues

Local News

Early election takeaways: Next president will lead fractured nation

Local News

Speaker Johnson re-elected to a fifth term in the House