Likely Named to Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
7/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Senior cornerback William Likely was named to the 2016 Jim Thorpe Award watch list, it was announced on Monday. The Thorpe Award is presented annually to the top defensive back in college football.
Likely has now been selected for three preseason watch lists, previously garnering Bednarik Award and Nagurski Trophy mentions as one of the top overall defensive players in the country.
The Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled not only 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.
Likely, who's been named First Team All-Big Ten as a defensive back each of the last two years, posted a strong junior campaign in 2015. He registered 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and led the team with 11 pass breakups.
As a sophomore in 2014, Likely posted 83 tackles (66 solo), tied for the conference-lead in interceptions (6) and tied for the FBS lead by returning a pair of interceptions for touchdowns. The Belle Glade, Florida native also tied for first in the Big Ten with 15 passes defensed.
The Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compiles a list of 30-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses.
The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 8, 2016 on ESPN.
The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 in Oklahoma.
The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast over 722 years of tradition-selection excellence.
-Terps-
