Strait Named Semifinalist For Thorpe Award

Oklahoma cornerback Derrick Strait is a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the top defensive back in college football. Strait also was a semifinalist last year.

Strait, a senior from Austin, Texas, ranks No. 3 on the team OU team with 48 tackles. He also has eight passes broken up, three fumble recoveries, three tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Three finalists will be selected November 25. The winner will be announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show, broadcast from Disney World on December 11. Formal presentation of the award will be in Oklahoma City, at the annual Jim Thorpe Awards ceremonies, February 9, 2004.

The Thorpe Award has been presented since 1986, based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. A “Screening Committee” of the Jim Thorpe Association researches and follows the performances of defensive backs as they compete through the season. The committee determines the semi-finalists the first week in November and will select three finalists the Monday before Thanksgiving. A nationwide panel of former coaches, players and sportswriters and sportscasters then votes to select the winner.

Voted the 20th century's greatest athlete in a poll by ABC's Wide World of Sports, Jim Thorpe was a two-time All-American running back and defensive back, the winner of decathlon and pentathlon gold medals in the 1912 Olympics, and a standout in both professional football and baseball. He was the first president of what became the National Football League.

Previous winners include: Terence Newman, Kansas State, 2002; Roy Williams, Oklahoma, 2001; Jamar Fletcher, Wisconsin, 2000; Tyrone Carter, Minnesota, 1999; Antoine Winfield, Ohio State, 1998; Charles Woodson, Michigan, 1997; Lawrence Wright, Florida, 1996; Greg Meyers, Colorado State, 1995; Chris Hudson, Colorado, 1994; Antonio Langham, Alabama, 1993; Deon Figures, Colorado, 1992; Terrell Buckley, Florida State, 1991; Darryll Lewis, Arizona, 1990; Mark Carrier, USC, 1989; Deion Sanders, Florida State, 1988; Bennie Blades, Miami, and Rickey Dixon, Oklahoma (tie) 1987; and Thomas Everett, Baylor, 1986.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Strait Named Semifinalist For Thorpe Award

Related News

Related Videos

Sponsors