Penn State outside linebacker Paul Posluszny has been selected one of three finalists for the 21st Butkus Award. The prestigious award is presented to the nation's top linebacker by The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Inc.

An All-America and Academic All-America candidate, Posluszny is joined as a finalist by Ohio State's A.J. Hawk and Alabama's DeMeco Ryans.

The 2005 Butkus Award winner will be announced Saturday, December 10, 2005 at the Butkus Award Gala at the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort in Orlando, Fla. The Butkus Award will be presented to the winner by the award's namesake former University of Illinois and Chicago Bears NFL Hall of Fame member, Dick Butkus. The finalists, their coaches and families are invited to attend the Butkus Award Gala festivities including a welcome reception, golf tournament and silent auction.

"I'm extremely honored to be a finalist for the Butkus Award," Posluszny stated. "I felt like I was in great company with all the semifinalists. I'm really excited. I'm just trying to continue the great linebacker tradition at Penn State."