Antrel Rolle is Jim Thorpe Award Finalist

Nov. 23, 2004

Coral Gables, Fla (www.hurricanesports.com) — – Miami Hurricanes cornerback Antrel Rolle has been named one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annual to the top defensive back in college football.

The winner of the 2004 Jim Thorpe Award will be announced live on Thursday, Dec. 9 in Orlando on ESPN’s “The Home Depot College Football Awards” show. The other two finalists are Carlos Rogers of Auburn and Ernest Shazor of Michigan.

Of the honor, Rolle said, “It is a privilege and an honor to be a finalist for this award. Because of all the hard work and my team’s support, this has been made possible. I just have to go out there and finish the season with a bang against Virginia Tech (on Dec. 4) and let everybody know that I am one of the best DBs in the country.

“Carlos Rogers and Ernest Shazor are great athletes, too. They stand out on their teams. I think the three of us are similar in a lot of ways. We all try to make a lot of plays. But our games are different, too. My game is more physical. I think I involve myself more in the run defense. I think I had a pretty solid year. And I think I’ve been a pretty good leader.”

This season, Rolle ranks fourth on the Hurricanes with 61 tackles. He has eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery and a team-leading nine pass breakups.