Middle linebacker Chris Claiborne was named USC's first recipient of the
Butkus Award, given to college football's top linebacker, as a junior in 1998.
The unanimous All-American first teamer was also selected as Football News'
National Defensive Player of the Year and the Pac-10 Defensive Player of
the Year in 1998 as he led USC in tackles (120), pass deflections (16) and
interceptions (6) in 1998.
He posted 312 tackles (27 for losses) as a 3-year starter.