Tue Jan 15 03:06:29 2008

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Laurinaitis staying at Ohio State

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Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - All-America linebacker James Laurinaitis announced Monday he will return for his senior season at Ohio State.

Laurinaitis won the 2007 Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker and the 2006 Nagurski Award as the top defensive player in college football.

"After a long thought process and strategic evaluation of the pros and cons of this decision with my close family and friends, I've decided to stay at Ohio State for my senior season to complete my schoolwork and football career," Laurinaitis said in a statement. "I know I can still improve as a player, and I know there is still much more to me and for the Buckeyes to accomplish. My love for this university, my love for the people of the state of Ohio, and my love for teammates and friends is so great that I want stay a Buckeye for another season. You only get to do this once, so I want to take full advantage."

The 2007 Big Ten defensive player of the year, Laurinaitis set a BCS championship game record with 18 tackles in a loss to LSU. He led the Buckeyes with 121 tackles for the season.