Witherspoon Named Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
October 24, 2022 | Football
NEWS
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Fighting Illini junior defensive back Devon Witherspoon was named Monday by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association, as one of 12 semifinalists - including one of three from the Big Ten - in contention for the Jim Thorpe Award.
PAYCOM JIM THORPE AWARD
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is universally accepted as one of the nation's top collegiate sports honors.
Last three winners: Coby Bryan (DB, Cincinnati), Tre'von Moehrig (DB, TCU), Grant Delpit (DB, LSU)
DEVON WITHERSPOON | JIM THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALIST
- Named Midseason All-American by PFF (1st Team) and The Athletic (2nd Team)
- Highest graded cornerback in the nation by PFF (89.5)
- Has the best coverage grade in the country according to PFF (90.8)
- Ranks tied for first nationally in forced incompletions by PFF (13)
- Has a 31 percent reception percentage against, the No. 3 mark in the country and best in the Big Ten among cornerbacks
- Ranks second in the nation in passes defended per game (1.8)
Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists
» Trevon Flowers, Tennessee, Sr.
» Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State, Jr.
» Erick Hallett II, Pitt, Sr.
» Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU, Jr.
» Antonio Johnson, Texas A&M, Jr.
» Clark Phillips III, Utah, So.
» Joey Porter, Jr., Penn State, Jr.
» Lathan Ransom, Ohio State, Jr.
» Bentlee Sanders, Nevada, Sr.
» Christopher Smith, Georgia, Sr.
» Jason Taylor II, Oklahoma State, Sr.
» Devon Witherspoon, Illinois, Jr.
