SEC Football: Elite Defensive Backs on Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
By Ryan Summers
Jan 3, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) catches the ball for an interception to seal the game for the Gators agaisnt the East Carolina Pirates during the 2015 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
SEC football continues to fill out postseason award watch lists, as three defensive backs highlight the 42 player preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award.
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The Jim Thorpe Award was established in 1986 and is presented every season to the player selected as the top defensive back in the nation.
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The SEC has been a fertile hunting ground for NFL teams looking to boost their secondary, with such names as Patrick Peterson, Chris Houston, Tyrann Mathieu, Tim Jennings and others all coming out of the ranks of the Southeastern Conference.
An SEC player has taken home the Thorpe award seven times since the honor was established. (1993, 1996, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012).
This year, three outstanding SEC defensive backs have been placed on the watch list. We’ll be keeping an eye on these and other DBs this season to see if the SEC can bring home their eighth Thorpe award.
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