SEC Football: Elite Defensive Backs on Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
By Ryan Summers
Dec 30, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back
Tony Conner(12) celebrates after a stop against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at LP Field. The Rebels beat the Yellow Jackets 25-17. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Conner, JR, Ole Miss
Conner topped all SEC defensive backs in 2014 with nine tackles for loss and helped Ole Miss lead the nation in scoring defense. The Rebels defense averaged 16.0 points per game.
Conner was second on the team in total tackles with 69, tallied one sack and two pass breakups while bringing in one interception.
Ole Miss returns a good group of defensive players for the 2015 season and will have to lean on guys like Conner to produce in order to be successful. In order for the junior to take home the award at the end of the season, he’ll need to make more interceptions and have a larger impact in pass coverage.
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