One of West Virginia's most decorated defenders, Canute Curtis was a three-year starter at rush linebacker, appearing in 43 games with 36 career starts from 1993-96.

A native of Amityville, N.Y., Curtis earned consensus All-America honors in 1996 after anchoring the nation's No. 1-rated defense. The 1996 BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, he ranks first in the WVU record books in career sacks (34.5) and single season sacks (16.5). As a senior, he ranked second in the nation with 16.5 sacks for 121 yards. A finalist for the Dick Butkus and Bronko Nagurski Awards, he made 67 tackles in 1996, while leading the Mountaineers to an 8-4 record and a Gator Bowl appearance.

Playing for coach Don Nehlen, Curtis made 192 tackles (126 solo), six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and 15 career pass breakups. In four years, he helped WVU to a 31-17 record and three bowl appearances. In his career, he made 35 consecutive starts.

During his senior season, Curtis paced the 1996 defense that ranked first nationally in total defense (217.5), second in rush defense (61.5), fourth in scoring defense (12.4) and fifth in pass efficiency defense (86.8).

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• Position: Linebacker
• Hometown: Amityville, N.Y.
• Inducted into WVU Hall of Fame: 2011