West Virginia University football senior safety Karl Joseph is one of 42 defensive backs across the nation named for the Jim Thorpe Award, today, as announced by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

 

This award signifies the best defensive back in the nation. The watch list represents 11 conferences. Joseph also was named to the watch lists for the Bednarik and the Nagurski Awards, identifying the top defensive player in college football.

 

Joseph earned All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors last season after finishing with 92 tackles, including 62 solo stops, 4.5 tackles for loss, a team-leading three forced fumbles, an interception and three pass breakups. He finished with five or more tackles in eight games and five or more solo tackles in six games.

 

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 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 Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compile 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 10, 2015 on ESPN. 

 

The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 in Oklahoma City, Okla. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo by Joe McNemar of D-Max Photography; cover photo by Dale Sparks and courtesy of WVU Sports Communication.