OKLAHOMA CITY - The Jim Thorpe Award announced on Monday that UCLA defensive back Jaleel Wadood is on this year's watch list. The Thorpe Award is presented to the nation's best defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.
Wadood was named second-team all-conference by the league's coaches in 2015. He appeared in all 13 games last season and made 12 starts. The junior ranked third on the squad with 72 tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions. He was named Defensive MVP of the Foster Farms Bowl after amassing 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss versus Nebraska. Wadood had registered a career-high 11 tackles in the previous game against USC. He was an honorable mention all-conference pick as a true freshman in 2014 after finishing with 59 tackles.
The Thorpe 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.
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.
Wadood was named second-team all-conference by the league's coaches in 2015. He appeared in all 13 games last season and made 12 starts. The junior ranked third on the squad with 72 tackles and tied for the team lead in interceptions. He was named Defensive MVP of the Foster Farms Bowl after amassing 10 tackles, a fumble recovery and a tackle for loss versus Nebraska. Wadood had registered a career-high 11 tackles in the previous game against USC. He was an honorable mention all-conference pick as a true freshman in 2014 after finishing with 59 tackles.
The Thorpe 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.
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.