November 06, 2002
Texas A&M cornerback Sammy Davis is one of 14 semifinalists for the 2002 Jim Thorpe Award announced on Wednesday by the Jim Thorpe Association.
Davis, a senior from Humble, Texas, has started in 33 straight games and has broken up 26 passes during his career.
"I'm proud for Sammy," A&M coach R.C. Slocum said. "He has worked hard and improved this year despite playing with some injuries. Sammy is a quality young man and an All-America caliber cornerback."
One of the top cornerbacks in the country, Davis routinely stifles opposing receivers. A preseason All-America second team by Athlon and Lindy's and third team by Street & Smith's. Davis 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 field of candidates for the 2002 Jim Thorpe Award is:
Sammy Davis, Sr, Texas A&M
Rod Babers, Sr, Texas
Mike Doss, Sr, Ohio State
Brandon Everage, Jr, Oklahoma
Terrance Holt, Sr, N. Carolina St.
Terence Newman, Sr, Kansas St.
Willie Pile, Sr, Virgina Tech
Troy Polamalu, Sr, USC
Etric Pruitt, Jr, Southern Miss.
Stuart Schweigert, Jr, Purdue
Derrick Strait, Jr, Oklahoma
Shane Walton, Sr, Notre Dame
Dennis Weathersby, Sr, Oregon St.
Eugene Wilson, Sr, Illinois
Three finalists will be selected on November 25. The winner will be announce on ESPN's College Football Awards Show, broadcast from Disney World on December 12. Formal presentation of the award will be in Oklahoma City, at the annual Jim Thorpe Awards ceremonies, February 11, 2003.
The Thorpe Award has been presented since 1986, based on the winner's performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
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, 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: 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 Myers, 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