Who says defensive players can't win the big awards?

First, there was Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson, who skated past quarterbacks Peyton Manning of Tennessee and Ryan Leaf of Washington State to win the Heisman Trophy in the college ranks.

Now add West Monroe linebacker Adam McConathy to the list of defenders who garnered special recognition in 1997.

The 6-4, 224-pounder was chosen as the Farm Bureau/Mr. Football by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, the first time a defensive player has been so honored.

Previous winners include Carencro quarterback Kevin Faulk (LSU),Leesville running back Cecil Collins (LSU) and Baton Rouge Catholic running back Travis Minor (Florida State).

"That's very elite company," said McConathy, a two-time All-State selection who is an oral commitment to LSU. "It's very flattering. I'm glad I got chosen for that award.

"We got a lot of credit this year as a defensive unit, but most of the time you never hear of a defensive player getting big awards."

McConathy was the marquee defensive player for West Monroe teams that won back-to-back championships in Class 5A. He finished his senior campaign with 134 tackles (95 solos, 34 assists), 15 sacks, 14 tackles for losses, three interceptions, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

"I think he's very deserving," West Monroe coach Don Shows said."He's an ideal student-athlete. I think he's everything that a father and a coach would look for in a kid. He works real hard in the weight room and he lives right. He's a good, All-American boy."

Additionally, McConathy was named the defensive MVP in District 2-5A, earned the Toby Caston Defensive Player of the Year winner on The Monroe News-Star's All-Northeast Louisiana team and was Gatorade's Louisiana Player of the Year.

McConathy said he enjoyed the extra attention this year but credits talented teammates and standout defensive coordinator Jerry Arledge with giving him the chance to shine.

"I enjoy it. I like to be the person who's synonymous with West Monroe's defense," McConathy said. "But if I didn't have that Front Four of Brian West, Terrence Tarver, Josh Deason and Jason LeDoux I wouldn't make nearly as many tackles. Offenses could run away but we've got Mike Tubb and Keith Carter and they're good linebackers too. The secondary was strong also. We had a total defense. We didn't have many weaknesses."

Ironically, McConathy thought his college future was in basketball through his sophomore season.

"I was blessed with good athleticism," McConathy said."Basketball, I thought that was going to be the deal. I spent countless hours in the gym. It wasn't total God-given talent in basketball."

McConathy credits his earlier basketball training with helping him succeed in football.

"It gives you great feet," said McConathy, who has given up the sport this year. "Basketball is a good bit more demanding sport than football. It's more of an individual sport. You're trying to put the ball in the hole, you're trying to get by the man. When you're defending someone, that's total footwork. That helped a lot."

The key turn in his career came before his junior year, when the West Monroe football coaching staff moved McConathy from receiver to linebacker. In one season, he went from a little-used offensive player to a blue-chipper.

"I think if you go back and look at the last two years, the success of our football team is because of our defensive strength,"Shows said. "Certainly, Adam had been the leading player on that side of the ball."

McConathy, who plans to sign with LSU in February, thinks recent changes on the Tigers staff may help him get off to a fast start at the next level. Defensive coordinator Carl Reese resigned to take a job at Texas and was replaced by former Illinois head coach Lou Tepper.

"I'm really kind of glad a new defensive coordinator is coming in there because that means a whole new defensive scheme and I'm not so far behind," McConathy said. "Everybody's got to learn it and that gives me a better chance."