Courtesy Barry Allen UA Media Relations August 19, 2004
TUSCALOOSA -- University of Alabama preseason All-America and All-SEC candidate DeMeco Ryans has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2004 Dick Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation's most outstanding linebacker. As a sophomore, Ryans (126) combined with Roman Harper (111) and Derrick Pope (105) as the first trio in Bama history to record 100 or more tackles in one season. The Tide's leading tackler, Ryans set the school single-game record against Arkansas when he turned in 25 tackles. His 126 season tackles ranks second in the Tide record book behind the 134 tackles by Woodrow Lowe in 1973. He had five double-figure tackle games including Oklahoma (16), Arkansas (25), Southern Miss (13), Tennessee (13) and Auburn (10). He closed with 1.5 sacks for 11 yards (against Southern Miss) and 8.5 stops behind the line for 26 yards. He forced a fumble against Arkansas and recovered one against Tennessee. In addition to his excellence on the field, Ryans is also a top scholar off the field. He was a 2003 Academic All-SEC selection following his sophomore season. He earned a 4.0 grade point average this summer to raise his overall GPA to 3.51 for his UA career. Ryans is also a solid candidate for Academic All-America honors this season. Alabama players on preseason watch lists: Butkus Award [Top Linebacker] - DeMeco Ryans Lombardi Award [Top Lineman/ Linebacker] - Todd Bates (DE) and Wesley Britt (OT) Nagurski Award [Top Defensive Player] - DeMeco Ryans Davey O'brien Award [Top Quarterback] - Brodie Croyle Outland Trophy [Top Lineman] - Wesley Britt Ted Hendricks Award [Top Defensive End] - Todd Bates ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
