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USC Football: Adoree' Jackson Named 2016 Thorpe Award Semifinalist
USC’s Adoree’ Jackson was named one of sixteen semifinalists for the 2016 Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s top defensive back.
It’s nearly college football award season, while means Adoree’ Jackson can expect to hear his name thrown out more than a few times for some of the top trophies in the NCAA.
Monday, Jackson made the cut as a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, moving one step closer to become just the second Trojan win that honor.
Jackson has arguably been USC’s most valuable defender in 2016, putting in All-American type performances throughout the season.
The junior shut down Alabama’s Calvin Ridley despite the overall troubles for the Trojans on opening weekend. He continued his strong run of play with an interception against Stanford and an even more spectacular grab on the sideline in USC’s win over Colorado.
Last week, Jackson returned a fumble 26-yards to set up a USC touchdown.
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As the Trojans most reliable performer, Jackson has lived up to the considerable hype which followed him into what is most likely his final season at USC.
Finalists for the award will be named on Nov. 22 while the winner will be announced on Dec. 8.
Mark Carrier is the only Trojan to have ever won the Thorpe Award, taking home the trophy in its fourth year of existence in 1989. Since then, USC has been represented among the finalists just twice — Troy Polamalu in 2002 and Taylor Mays in 2008.
Last year’s winner, Desmond King of Iowa, is among the semifinalists this year. Washington’s Budda Baker is the only other Pac-12 player represented alongside Jackson.
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