Sophomore safety Eric Berry finds himself one of 13 of the nation's best college football defensive backs after semifinalists were announced Tuesday for the 2008 Jim Thorpe Award.The award, named after Oklahoma-born Native American sports legend Jim Thorpe, is presented annually to the defensive back who best exhibits performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
The semifinalist list will be narrowed to three finalists Nov. 24, and the winner will be announced on the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, broadcast nationally Dec. 11. Formal presentation will be at a banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 11.
2008 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
Asher Allen, Jr., Georgia; Eric Berry, SO., TENNESSEE; Emanuel Cook, Jr., South Carolina; Vontae Davis, Jr., Illinois; Trimane Goddard, Sr., North Carolina; Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., Ohio State; Trevard Lindley, Jr., Kentucky; Taylor Mays, Jr., Southern California; Mike Mickens, Sr., Cincinnati; D.J. Moore, Jr., Vanderbilt; William Moore, Sr., Missouri; Alphonso Smith, Sr., Wake Forest; Otis Wiley, Sr., Michigan State.
Wiley and Goddard were added to the award's preseason 'watch list' midway through the season.
The first Jim Thorpe Award was presented in 1986 to Thomas Everett, Baylor, and last year's trophy went to Antoine Cason of Arizona.
Jim Thorpe is generally considered history's greatest all-around athlete, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also an awesome defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as "The Legend," Thorpe also played professional baseball and won gold medals in the 1912 Olympics decathlon and pentathlon.
For more information, contact Lynne Draper of the Jim Thorpe Association at (405) 427-1400.
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