July 24th, 2008
James Laurinaitis was voted the Big Ten preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the media who cover the conference. Not to be outdone, teammate Beanie Wells was voted the Offensive Player of the Year. Not a bad deal.
And of course, continuing the sweep, The Buckeyes were voted the team to beat this season.
Surprise, surprise.
And, there will be more from Chicago since Lil Animal is there with Boeks, Beanie, and Tressel representing the Scarlet & Gray. For now, check out Coach’s session with the media below the cut.
Read more…
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July 16th, 2008
Rumors are swirling that James, along with teammates Todd Boeckman and Beanie Wells just did a cover photoshoot for Sports Illustrated that will hit newsstands sometime next month. It will be one of the regional covers released for the annual College Football Preview issue.
Sounds tight. Can’t wait to see it!
ETA: Ohio State Athletics website with the confirmation and a photo album.
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July 13th, 2008
For once, there’s actually a lot of news surround Lil’ Animal and I’m going to run through it right quick:
James spent a 3rd summer helping out at the Lexington Youth Football Camp. Love seeing the big guy give back to the community and you just know those kids will remember his participation. Winners all around.
James is on the cover of Scout.com’s CFN 2008 Preview Magazine, which features an exclusive Q&A. Good stuff!
James is one of 33 Big Ten players who have been invited to the 2008 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon on July 25 in Chicago. Teammates Malcolm Jenkins and Todd Boeckman will join him.
Finally, James and teammate Brian Hartline were speakers at the North Central Ohio Football Coaches Association All-Star Game banquet. There’s video and a photo gallery available as well.
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July 8th, 2008
The 2008 14th Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List has been released and we once again see a host of familiar names from Buckeye Nation, including James Laurinaitis.
The Bednarik Award goes to the top defensive player in the country.
Joining him on the list are Malcolm Jenkins and Marcus Freeman. Again, not a surprise there.
The list will be shortened in early November to reveal the semifinalists, with the 3 finalists being announced at the end of that month. ESPN’s College Football Awards, which will air in early December, will provide the winner announcement.
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June 27th, 2008
USA Today’s Sports Weekly has recently published and released 6 regional versions of it’s 2008 College Football Preview.
James is one of 6 elite players to grace one of the covers. Big deal? Yes, indeedy.
The issue, on newsstands now, will remain available until July 28, 2008 for the price of $4.95. [MORE INFO]
The meat of the 64 page special centers around Sports Weekly’s top 10 teams which naturally include the loaded Buckeyes.
I swear, if I go to a newsstand and see Pitt’s LeSean McCoy on the cover, I will be drafting a strongly worded WTF letter to the people at Sports Weekly.
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June 7th, 2008
James Laurinaitis continues to be showered with preseason recognition. This is almost getting out of hand. I said, almost!
This update contains the latest All-America and All-Conference honors as bestowed by Phil Steele in his annual “College Football Preview”.
James was named to the All-America 1st team along with his Buckeye teammates Beanie Wells, Marcus Freeman, Malcolm Jenkins, and Alex Boone. Steve Rehring and Brian Robiskie were 3rd and 4th team respectively.
Steele’s Big Ten All-Conference list is out as well. To no one’s surprise, Ohio State cleaned up there too.
The same 1st teamers from the national All-America list, were also 1st team All-Conference. Robiskie and Rehring jumped up to 1st team, joining them, as well as Anderson Russell. QB Todd Boeckman, Safety Kurt Coleman, Kicker Ryan Pretorious, and Punter AJ Trapasso made the 2nd team.
I’m entirely too lazy to type out all the Buckeye pwnage in the All-Conference honors, so be sure to check it out for yourself!
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May 21st, 2008
Rivals has released their 2008 Power Rankings of the Top 25 players and coaches in college football at the conclusion of spring practices. Ohio State boasts two #1s at their respective positions; Chris “Beanie” Wells is the top ranked RB in the nation while James Laurinaitis takes the top spot in the linebacker corps.
Not too shabby!
Be sure to check out the full list as a number of other Buckeye players and coaches are ranked.
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May 15th, 2008
As fans of James Laurinaitis, we’ve become accustomed to accolades being showered upon Lil’ Animal. And no, it doesn’t ever get old.
The newest in James’ long list of honors is a 2nd straight Playboy Preseason All-American appearance. JL and teammate Malcolm Jenkins were both spotted in Phoenix last weekend, likely attending the photoshoot and corresponding weekend of events which included an awards dinner and sports competition.
The September issue, containing the 52nd annual list, will hit newsstands mid-August.
HT: Buckeye Commentary
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May 12th, 2008
To no one’s surprise, James Laurinaitis has been named to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. Sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, the annual award is given to college football’s best defensive player.
Buckeye teammates Marcus Freeman and Malcolm Jenkins also appear on the newly released list.
James won this award in 2006 and was a finalist for the 2007 season. By default he almost has to be considered the front-runner. We shall see!
Find more information at www.touchdownclub.com.
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May 9th, 2008
With the conclusion of Spring Practices, ESPN has revised its pre-season Top 25 poll. Apparently they were impressed with what they saw in Columbus because the Ohio State Buckeyes are the new #1 team.
Raise your hand if you want to see the Buckeyes back in the BCS title game … didn’t think so. But with an extraordinary number of juniors and seniors returning, Ohio State seems poised to become the first team in the 112-year history of the Big Ten to win three straight outright league titles. Even if the Buckeyes lose at USC on Sept. 13, they might end up playing in the BCS title game in Miami on Jan. 8.
I can pretty much hear the rest of the country bitching, can’t you? That’s right. Suck it!
Here is the Top 10:
1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. Oklahoma
4. USC
5. Florida
6. Missouri
7. Clemson
8. Texas
9. West Virginia
10. Auburn
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