It became official Monday when Iowa’s Desmond King was named one of 39 players to watch for the Thorpe award, given to the best defensive back in college football.
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After cracking Pitt’s starting lineup as a true freshman, Whitehead set a Pitt freshman record by making 109 tackles. Dom DeCicco was also named as a finalist in 2010.
Likely has now been selected for three preseason watch lists, previously garnering Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy mentions as one of the top overall defensive players in the country.
The honor, given annually to the nation’s top defensive back, includes four MWC entrants with a chance to make big impacts this season.
The Jim Thorpe Award was established in 1986 and is named after one of history’s greatest all-around athletes.
A native of West Monroe, Woods tallied 56 total tackles (37 solo, 19 assisted) last season with 7.5 tackles for a loss of 60 yards. He also won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The watch list, which will be modified throughout the season, will be reduced to three finalists and a victor will be announced during the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 8.
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Charles Woodson is the lone MI player to win the award, which came during his Heisman Trophy season in 1997.
