July 30, 2007

ATLANTA - Georgia Tech safety Jamal Lewis has been tabbed to the preseason watch list for the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented by the Jim Thorpe Association to the best defensive back in college football.

Lewis, a senior from Riverdale, Ga., was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference first team after making three interceptions and was the third-leading tackler for the Yellow Jackets with 74. He posted 6.5 tackles for loss and had two pass breakups for Tech.

The Thorpe Award is one of college football's most sought after and prestigious awards. It is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also was an awesome defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as "The Legend", Thorpe also played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.

The leading candidates for the 2007 Jim Thorpe Award are derived through a point system based on preseason All-American teams listed in various football publications.

The watch list is narrowed to 10 semi-finalists the first Monday in November and then to three finalists the Monday before Thanksgiving. The winner is announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show, nationally telecast on December 6. The official presentation of the award will be in Oklahoma City on February 12.

LEADING PRE-SEASON CANDIDATES FOR 2007 JIM THORPE AWARD
Jamar Adams - Sr. - Michigan
Josh Barrett - Sr. - Arizona State
Zackary Bowman - Sr. - Nebraska
Tony Carter - Jr. - Florida State
Antoine Cason - Sr. - Arizona
Simeon Castille - Sr. - Alabama
Quintin Demps - Sr. - UTEP
Brandon Flowers - Jr. - Virginia Tech
Courtney Greene - Jr. - Rutgers
Michael Hamlin - Jr. - Clemson
Nic Harris - Jr. - Oklahoma
Victor Harris - Jr - Virginia Tech
Jonathan Hefney - Sr. - Tennessee
Chris Horton - Sr. - UCLA
Malcolm Jenkins - Jr. - Ohio State
Tyrell Johnson - Sr. - Arkansas State
Dennis Keyes -Sr. - UCLA
Justin King - Jr. - Penn State
Jamal Lewis - Sr. - Georgia Tech
Dwight Lowery - Sr. - San Jose State
Taylor Mays - So. - USC
Mike Mickens - Jr. - Cincinnati
Derek Pegues - Jr. - Mississippi State
Kenny Phillips - Jr. - Miami FL
Myron Rolle - So. - Florida State
Reggie Smith - Jr. - Oklahoma
Marty Tadman - Sr. - Boise State
Aqib Talib - Jr. - Kansas
Terrell Thomas - Sr. - USC
DeJuan Tribble - Sr. - Boston College
Eric Wicks - Sr. - West Virginia
Terrence Wheatley - Sr. - Colorado
Trae Williams - Sr. - South Florida
Tom Zbikowski - Sr. - Notre Dame

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