University of Iowa junior defensive back Tyler Sash and Ohio State senior cornerback Chimdi Chekwa were named two of 10 semifinalists for the 2010 Jim Thorpe Award. The award is given annually to the nation’s top collegiate defensive back. It’s the second straight year Sash has made the semifinal list.
A native of Clermont, Fla., Chekwa is tied for the Big Ten lead with three interceptions in 2010. He recorded two in the win over No. 12 Miami (FL) back in September when he also broke up two pass attempts and recorded six tackles, including one for a loss. He is coming off one of his best games of the season Saturday at Minnesota where he recorded an interception and had one sack that caused a fumble and led to a John Simon touchdown late in the game. On the season, Chekwa has 28 tackles (22 solo), 4.0 TFL, 1.0 sack, two forced fumbles, three picks and five pass break-ups.
The 2010 award marks the 25th presentation of the trophy, first won in 1986 by Baylor’s Thomas Everett. Ohio State’s Malcolm Jenkins, now playing for the New Orleans Saints, won the award in 2008 and Antoine Winfield, now playing with the Minnesota Vikings, won the award in 1998.
Sash is a 6-1, 210-pounder from Oskaloosa, IA. He has started 32 games in his Hawkeye career, including the last 29. He currently ranks fifth in the Iowa record books with 13 career interceptions. Last week he intercepted a Michigan State pass and lateralled it back to Micah Hyde for a touchdown (total distance of 72 yards). The play came in Iowa’s 37-6 win over the fifth-ranked Spartans.
Sash holds the Iowa record and ranks fourth in the Big Ten record books with 392 interception return yards. He led Iowa with six interceptions last year. He has 186 career tackles that includes 48 stops this year. He has helped Iowa’s 2010 defense rank fifth nationally in rushing defense (84.5), eighth in scoring defense (14.5) and 12th in total defense (292.3).
The 2010 semi-finalists are:
Prince Amukamara, Sr., Nebraska
Tejay Johnson, Sr., TCU
Mark Barron, Jr., Alabama
Joe Lefeged, Sr., Rutgers
Rahim Moore, Jr., UCLA
Brandon Harris, Jr., Miami (FL)
Patrick Peterson, Jr., LSU
Cliff Harris, Soph., Oregon
The announcement of the Jim Thorpe Award winner will be featured on ESPNU College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Thorpe Award winner will be announced on the show and the official presentation will be at a formal banquet in Oklahoma City on February 7, 2011.