2011 JIM THORPE AWARD WATCH LIST

Founded in 1986, The Jim Thorpe Award annually honors the nation's top defensive back. The Jim Thorpe Award is celebrating its 25th Anniversary. Working in conjunction with the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, The Jim Thorpe Association judges candidates based on their on field performance, athletic ability and character.

Jim Thorpe was an all around excellent athlete that played multiple positions for Carlisle Indian Institute in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Thorpe played running back, QB, and kicker. He really showed his skills at defensive back. Some of the past recipients of The Jim Thorpe Award award include Deion Sanders (Florida State), Antonio Langham (Alabama), Charles Woodson (Michigan), and Eric Berry (Tennessee).  The list will be cut down to a dozen in early November, which will in turn be refined down to three finalists just prior to Thanksgiving. The winner will be announced at the ESPN College Football Awards Show. The trophy presentation will take place in February in Oklahoma City, OK.  

The 2011 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List was recently announced.

---2011 JIM THORPE WATCH LIST---

• Ray Ray Armstrong, Miami, SS
• Mark Barron, Alabama, SS
• John Boyett, Oregon, FS
• Brandon Boykin, Georgia, CB
• Morris Claiborne, LSU, CB
• Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska, CB
• Tony Dye, UCLA, CB
• Matt Elam, Florida, SS
• Antonio Fenelus, Wisconsin, CB
• Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma, CB
• Donnie Fletcher, Boston College, CB
• Blake Gideon, Texas, FS
• Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina, CB
• Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt, CB
• Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech, CB
• Delano Howell, Stanford, SS
• Duke Ihenacho, San Jose State, SS
• George Iloka, Boise State, FS
• Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma, FS
• Leonard Johnson, Iowa State, CB
• Coryell Judie, Texas A&M, CB
• Dre Kirkpatrick, Alabama, CB
• Robert Lester, Alabama, FS
• Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State, SS
• TJ McDonald, USC, FS
• Chase Minnifield, Virginia, CB
• Marco Nelson, Tulsa, FS
• Brian Peters, Northwestern, FS
• Greg Reid, Florida State, CB
• Xavier Rhodes Florida State, CB
• Josh Robinson, UCF, CB
• Trenton Robinson, Michigan State, FS
• Harrison Smith, Notre Dame, FS
• Keith Tandy, West Virginia, CB
• Kenny Tate, Maryland, FS
• Tramain Thomas, Arkansas, FS
• Prentiss Waggner, Tennessee, SS

Congratulations to the 2010 Jim Thorpe Award recipient, Patrick Peterson, LSU.

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