Pair of Miami Seniors Named to Thorpe Watch List
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – A pair of Miami senior defensive backs was named to the watch list for the 2018 Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced Monday.
The preseason honor is the second for Johnson and the first for Jackson, and represents the seventh major award watch list to include at least one Hurricane this preseason.
The Jim Thorpe Award annually recognizes the best defensive back in college football. The award is based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The list includes 35 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing 11 conferences. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee who compiles a list of 30-50 players. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses.
Jackson enjoyed a breakout year in his first season as a starting cornerback in 2017, making 10 starts and seeing action in all 13 games. The Birmingham, Ala., native, who finished with 43 total tackles, was selected to the All-ACC Second Team and was tied for the team lead with four interceptions on the season. Jackson, who finished with five pass breakups, recorded the first interception of his career in a win at Florida State and had a two-interception performance in a win over Syracuse.
One of the best safeties in America a season ago, Johnson decided to return for his senior season after being named a Second-Team All-America by Sports Illustrated and the AFCA in 2017. He led the Hurricanes with 96 total tackles a season ago, and also tied for the team lead with four interceptions. A Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist and a three-time ACC Defensive Back of the week honoree, Johnson has totaled 160 tackles, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and six interceptions in 39 career games – he has not missed a game since arriving to Coral Gables in January 2015.
Jackson and Johnson, who was also named to the watch list for the Bednarik Award honoring the nation’s top defensive player, join senior Tyler Gauthier (Rimington Trophy as nation’s best center), sophomore Travis Homer, who was named to the watch list for both the Maxwell Award (college football’s player of the year) and the Doak Walker Award (top running back), junior Shaq Quarterman, who was selected to the watch list for the Bednarik Award and the Butkus Award (top linebacker), and junior Ahmmon Richards (Maxwell Award and Biletnikoff Award as nation’s best receiver) as preseason honorees.
The 2018 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards Presented by Gildan on Thursday, December 6, 2018, on ESPN. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award commemorative banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 5, 2019, in Oklahoma City.
