August 28, 2002
Texas A&M cornerback Sammy Davis is one of eight Big 12 Conference defensive backs named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list on Wednesday by the Jim Thorpe Association.
Davis, a senior from Humble, Texas, is also on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
"Sammy is an All-America caliber cornerback," A&M coach R.C. Slocum said. "He worked extremely hard in the spring and I believe he is poised to have an outstanding senior season."
Davis has started in 24 straight games and begins his third season as one of the starting defensive backs. A preseason All-America second team by Athlon and Lindy's and third team by Street & Smith's. He is the No. 3 defensive back in nation by Lindy's and No. 6 defensive back in nation by The Sporting News. Meanwhile, Dave Campbell's Texas Football selected Davis as the No. 1 defensive back in Texas.
The Jim Thorpe Award is presented each season to the nation's best defensive back.
Former A&M great and current Houston Texans starter Aaron Glenn was a runner-up in 1993. Former A&M standout Patrick Bates was a finalist for the award in 1992, while Kevin Smith was a semifinalist in 1991.
The Thorpe Award watch list is compiled using a point system based on All-America teams and honorable mentions listed in seven preseason magazines.
The committee will announce 10 semifinalists from the initial watch list of 36 and from any in-season additions to the list during the first week in November. Three finalists will then be announced during the week of Thanksgiving.
Davis is the latest in a group of A&M football players being included on national watch lists for this season. Brian Gamble and Jarrod Penright have been named to the Butkus Award lists, while Penright and Davis are candidates for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Quarterback Mark Farris is on the watch list for the Davey O'Brien Award and the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy voters are keeping an eye on Ty Warren. On Tuesday, punter Cody Scates was added to the Ray Guy Award watch list.
The No. 23-ranked Aggies kickoff the 2002 season by hosting Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, August 31 at 6 p.m. at Kyle Field.