Davis Named to Thorpe Semifinal List
November 5, 2007 | Football
Nov. 5, 2007
University of Illinois sophomore cornerback Vontae Davis was named to the 12-man Jim Thorpe Award Semifinal list, as announced by the Award Screening Committee in Oklahoma City today. The award is given annually to the nation's best college defensive back.
Davis, a true-sophomore, is the youngest player on this year's semifinal list. He is in his second year as a starter at cornerback and is one of the main reasons for Illinois resurgence as a bowl team. He has four interceptions this season and seven additional passes broken up. Davis has 54 total tackles, two tackles for loss and has blocked two punts this season. As one of Illinois' kick returners, he also averages 33 yards per return.
 Vontae picks one off earlier this season in Illinois' win over Penn State.  |
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This list will be narrowed on November 19, to three finalists who will be invited to the nationally telecast Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on December 6. The winner will be announced on the show and the official presentation will be at a formal banquet in Oklahoma City on February 12, 2007.
The Thorpe Award preseason Watch List is determined on a point system based on preseason All-American teams. Other players are added to the list based on their performance during the season. Of this year's semi-finalists, Trey Brown, Vontae Davis, Mike Jenkins, James Silva, Craig Steltz and Julius Stinson were not on the preseason Watch List.
The 2007 Semifinalists Trey Brown, Sr., UCLA Antoine Cason, Sr., Arizona Vontae Davis, Soph., Illinois Malcolm Jenkins, Jr., Ohio State Mike Jenkins, Jr., South Florida Kenny Phillips, Jr., Miami James Silva, Sr., Boston College Reggie Smith, Jr., Oklahoma Craig Steltz, Sr., LSU Julius Stinson, Sr., Wyoming Aqib Talib, Sr., Kansas Tom Zbikowski, Sr., Notre Dame
