Mark Walker Named to Thorpe Semifinal List
11/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2003
TCU junior cornerback Mark Walker has been selected as one of 12 semifinalists for the 2003 Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's top defensive back.
Walker, a 5-10, 190-pound junior from Duncanville, Texas, leads Conference USA with five interceptions and with 16 passes defended in eight games. He is tied for ninth in the nation in interceptions, averaging 0.63 picks per game.
Three finalists will be selected November 25. The winner will be announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show, broadcast from Disney World on December 11. Formal presentation of the award will be in Oklahoma City, at the annual Jim Thorpe Awards ceremonies, February 9, 2004.
The Thorpe Award has been presented since 1986, based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. A "Screening Committee" of the Jim Thorpe Association researches and follows the performances of defensive backs as they compete through the season. The committee determines the semi-finalists the first week in November and will select three finalists the Monday before Thanksgiving. A nationwide panel of former coaches, players and sportswriters and sportscasters then votes to select the winner.
Voted the 20th century's greatest athlete in a poll by ABC's Wide World of Sports, Jim Thorpe was a two-time All-American running back and defensive back, the winner of decathlon and pentathlon gold medals in the 1912 Olympics, and a standout in both professional football and baseball. He was the first president of what became the National Football League.
Previous winners include: Terence Newman, Kansas State, 2002; Roy Williams, Oklahoma, 2001; Jamar Fletcher, Wisconsin, 2000; Tyrone Carter, Minnesota, 1999; Antoine Winfield, Ohio State, 1998; Charles Woodson, Michigan, 1997; Lawrence Wright, Florida, 1996; Greg Meyers, Colorado State, 1995; Chris Hudson, Colorado, 1994; Antonio Langham, Alabama, 1993; Deon Figures, Colorado, 1992; Terrell Buckley, Florida State, 1991; Darryll Lewis, Arizona, 1990; Mark Carrier, USC, 1989; Deion Sanders, Florida State, 1988; Bennie Blades, Miami, and Rickey Dixon, Oklahoma (tie) 1987; and Thomas Everett, Baylor, 1986.
Here are this year's national semifinalists:
Jamaal Brimmer, UNLV, S, Jr
Josh Bullocks, Nebraska, S, So
James Butler, Georgia Tech, S, Jr
Jason David, Washington St. C, Sr
DeAngelo Hall, Virginia Tech, C, Jr
Keiwan Ratliff, Florida, C, Sr
Stuart Schweigert, Purdue, S, Sr
Derrick Strait, Oklahoma, C, Sr
Sean Taylor,Miami (Fla), S, Sr
Mark Walker, TCU, S, Jr
Corey Webster, LSU, C, Sr
Darrent Williams, OSU, C, Jr
