Brandon Harris Named to Thorpe Award Semifinalist List
Nov. 3, 2010
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami junior cornerback Brandon Harris has been named as one of 10 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award. Harris is the only student-athlete from the Atlantic Coast Conference to be named a semifinalist for the award, which is given annually to the nation’s best collegiate defensive back.
Harris, a 5-11, 195-pound Miami native, was a preseason member of the Thorpe Award List and has been a key component for the Hurricanes’ pass defense which ranks tops in the ACC and seventh nationally, allowing just 152.5 yards per game. The `Canes also lead the league in pass defense efficiency (93.1). On the year, Harris has registered 30 stops (27 solo) – including one behind the line, with a team-high tying four pass breakups and an interception.
This marks the second straight year Harris was named a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award. Other Hurricanes to be named semifinalists for the award include Kenny Phillips (2007), Brandon Meriweather (2005), Antrel Rolle (2004), Sean Taylor (2003), Ed Reed (2001), C.J. Richardson (1994), Ryan McNeil (1992) and Bennie Blades (1987). Taylor was named a semifinalist in 2003 and Blades won the award in 1987.
Candidates for the award are selected by a screening committee of the Jim Thorpe Association members who follow several players throughout the season, watching games and researching information sources to grade Thorpe Award candidates on the basis of performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
The committee will narrow the field to three finalists, whose names will then be submitted to a national panel of roughly 50 sports writers, sportscasters, coaches and former players who vote to determine the winner. The announcement of the Jim Thorpe award will be featured on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards live on Thurs., Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
The Jim Thorpe Award is one of college football’s most sought after and prestigious awards. It is named after one of the greatest all-around athletes in the history of sport, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also was an excellent defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of fame simply as “The Legend”, Thorpe also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The 2010 award marks the 25th presentation of the trophy, first won in 1986 by Baylor’s Thomas Everett.
2010 Jim Thorpe Semifinalists:
Prince Amukamara, Sr., Nebraska
Mark Barron, Jr., Alabama
Chimdi Chekwa, Sr., Ohio State
Brandon Harris, Jr., Miami
Cliff Harris, Soph., Oregon
Tejay Johnson, Sr., TCU
Joe Lefeged, Sr., Rutgers
Rahim Moore, Jr., UCLA
Patrick Peterson, Jr., LSU
Tyler Sash, Jr., Iowa
