Ken Norton Jr., UCLA linebacker and son...

Ken Norton Jr., UCLA linebacker and son of the former heavyweight boxing champion, is among seven finalists for this season’s Butkus Award, given to the country’s outstanding college linebacker.

The winner, selected by a panel of sportswriters, broadcasters, former college coaches and NFL executives, will be announced Dec. 11 and the award presented three days later.

Norton has 95 tackles in helping UCLA’s defense hold opponents to an average of only 2.1 yards a rush.

Other finalists are Bill Romanowski of Boston College, Paul McGowan of Florida State, Van Walters of Indiana, Zeke Gadson of Pittsburgh, Dante Jones of Oklahoma and Chris Spielman of Ohio State.