James Laurinaitis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| James Laurinaitis | |
|---|---|
| College | Ohio State |
| Conference | Big Ten |
| Sport | Football |
| Position | ILB |
| Jersey # | 33 |
| Class | Senior |
| Career | 2005 – present |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 244 lb (111 kg) |
| Nationality | USA |
| Born | December 3, 1986 Hamel, Minnesota |
| High school | Wayzata HS, Plymouth, Minnesota |
| Awards | |
| 2006 Bronko Nagurski Trophy 2007 Dick Butkus Award |
|
James Laurinaitis (born December 3, 1986 in Hamel, Minnesota) is an American football linebacker for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Laurinaitis is currently the starting middle linebacker at Ohio State. He was awarded the 2006 Nagurski Trophy,[1] the 2007 Butkus Award for top college linebacker,[2] and named an NCAA All American in 2007 and 2006.
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[edit] High school
Laurinaitis was touted in the NHL as a 2-3 round pick, but teams didn't draft him because of football. While he was successful in hockey, having been named as team captain as a senior, football was clearly his best sport, as evidenced by his selection as Defensive Mr. Football in Minnesota in 2004. That season, he helped lead Wayzata to the state championship game in Class 5A with 193 tackles, including 28 for loss and five sacks. He signed with the Buckeyes, becoming Ohio State's first scholarship football player from Minnesota since legendary NFL coach Sid Gillman in 1930-33.
[edit] Ohio State
As a true freshman in 2005, he played in all 12 games eventually reaching #2 on the depth chart at strong-side linebacker behind (current Dallas Cowboys player) Bobby Carpenter. After Carpenter broke a leg on the first play from scrimmage in their rivalry game against Michigan, Laurinaitis played the rest of that game, and also started in their Fiesta Bowl victory over Notre Dame. As of the end of the 2006 regular season, Laurinaitis leads the team in tackles (115) and interceptions (5), and also has 8.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.[3]
He was named 2007 Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the Big Ten Media.
Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award for most outstanding linebacker in 2007.
Laurinaitis was considered one of the top prospects for the 2008 NFL Draft if he were to declare himself eligible and leave Ohio State a year early. However, on January 14, 2008, Laurinaitis announced that he would not be leaving Ohio State this year to join the draft, opting instead to finish his football career at OSU as a Senior in the 2008 season. James was a 1st team All American this year.
[edit] Family
Both his father and 2 uncles were professional wrestlers. His father, Joe wrestled under the name Animal as one half of the tag-team The Road Warriors. His uncle John formerly known as Johnny Ace is currently Senior Vice President, Talent Relations for World Wrestling Entertainment. His uncle Marcus, The Terminator, was mainly known as one half of the tag team The Wrecking Crew[citation needed].
James' older brother, Joseph Jr. served in Iraq with the Army and is currently training to become a police officer. His younger sister, Jessica plays on her high school hockey team.[4]
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ ESPN - Ohio State's Laurinaitis wins Bronko Nagurski Trophy - College Football
- ^ May, Tim (2006-10-19). Laurinaitis named Butkus semifinalist. The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
- ^ Overall Defensive Statistics. Ohio State Buckeyes Football (2006-11-18). Retrieved on 2007-01-18.
- ^ He lives with his wife, Julia, 40, and their two children, James, 16, and Jessica, 14, in suburban Minneapolis. Joseph, 22, his son from a previous marriage, is in the U.S. military, with tours of duty in Kuwait and Iraq under his belt.
[edit] External links
- Player Bio
- Ohio State's Laurinaitis wins Bronko Nagurski Trophy College Football News Wire, December 4, 2006
- Depth Chart, The-Ozone.net
| Preceded by Elvis Dumervil |
Nagurski Trophy Winner 2006 |
Succeeded by Glenn Dorsey |
| Preceded by Patrick Willis |
Butkus Award Winner 2007 |
Succeeded by current |
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