Elam Named Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist

University of Florida junior defensive back Matt Elam (Palm Beach Gardens) has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, announced by the association on Monday.

It’s the second award list Elam has been named a semifinalist for on Monday, as he was also named a Bednarik Award semifinalist earlier in the day.  The Jim Thorpe Award is awarded to the top defensive back in college football. 

This season for the Orange and Blue, Elam has 41 tackles, including 4.0 tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a forced fumble.  His 41 tackles are the third-best total for the Orange and Blue this season and his two interceptions ties for a team-high with Jaylen Watkins.  

The three Thorpe Award finalists will be named on Monday, Nov. 19^th and the winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 6^th airing on ESPN.  The winner of the 2012 Thorpe Award will be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 5, 2013. 

Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist

Johnthan Banks, Sr. Mississippi State

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, So. Oregon
Matt Elam, Jr. Florida
Tony Jefferson, Jr., Oklahoma
Nigel Malone, Sr., Kansas State
Dexter McCoil, Sr., Tulsa
T.J. McDonald, Sr., USC
Dee Milliner, Jr., Alabama
Zeke Motta, Sr., Notre Dame
Jordan Poyer, Sr., Oregon State
Eric Reid, Jr., LSU
Xavier Rhodes, Jr., Florida State
Bradley Roby, Soph., Ohio State
Logan Ryan, Jr., Rutgers
Phillip Thomas, Sr., Fresno State