-- Texas sophomore S Earl Thomas has been named a semifinalist for the 2009 Jim Thorpe Award, honoring the nation’s top defensive back, the Jim Thorpe Association has announced.
Thomas will attempt to become Texas’ third winner of the award in the last five years, following S Michael Huff in 2005 and CB Aaron Ross in 2006
A 2009 preseason second-team All-Big 12 selection, Thomas has posted 37 tackles (24 solo), six INTs, including two returned for TDs, 11 PBU and a forced fumble in this season.
His 17 passes defended are the most in the nation and his six INTs are tied for the second most. He is one of only four players nationally to return two interceptions for TDs (92 and 31 yards), which also ties him for first on UT’s single-season list. His 127 INT return yards this season rank third on UT’s single-season list and are sixth nationally. Thomas has been named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week twice for his performances against UTEP and Oklahoma.
For his career, Thomas has started all 21 games and posted 109 tackles (75 solo), five TFL, eight INTs, 28 PBU and five forced fumbles. He was named first-team Freshman All-America by the Football Writers Association of America, College Football News and The Sporting News in 2008.
This list will be narrowed again on November 23 to three finalists who will be invited to the nationally telecast Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on December 10. The winner will be announced on the show and the official presentation will be at a formal banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 9, 2010.
