Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
Patrick Peterson of LSU Wins Jim Thorpe Defender of the Week
Photo - CB Patrick Peterson - LSU
LSU junior cornerback junior Patrick Peterson (Pompano Beach, Fla.) had four solo tackles and made two acrobatic interceptions in the Tigers’ 29-7 win vs Mississippi St. Peterson got his first interception off Bulldog quarterback Chris Relf at the LSU two-yard line where he first tipped the ball away from the receiver then caught it and returned it 46 yards. Peterson also picked off Tyler Russell in the fourth quarter to cap off the win and added a kickoff return for 39 yards.
Peterson was one of the nation’s best defensive backs named to the 2010 Jim Thorpe Award preseason “watch list” and is a leading candidate for this year’s trophy. He is ranked the #1 pro cornerback prospect in our newly published Draft Insiders' Pro Prospect Preview for the NFL Draft 2011. Available now on order page.
Honorable Mention Players for Week Three:
Cornerback Desmond Marrow, Toledo-Marrow had 10 tackles and added two interceptions in Toledo’s 37-24 win at Western Michigan. Marrow returned one interception 15-yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to open a 31-7 lead.
Cornerback Rashad Carmichael, Virginia Tech - Carmichael keyed a second half comeback for the Hokies in the 49-27 win vs East Carolina with a 68-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter and then intercepted his second pass of the game on the next drive.
Strong Safety DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson - McDaniel had six tackles, forced and recovered a fumble and had a tackle for loss in Clemson’s 27-24 overtime loss to Auburn.
Cornerback Anthony Gaitor, Florida International - Gaitor gave FIU a 20-6 lead in the third quarter when he picked off Texas A&M QB Jerrod Johnson and took the interception 54 yards for a touchdown. Gaitor also forced a fumble and added a sack in the Golden Panther’s near upset.
Strong Safety Anthony Perkins, Colorado - Perkins had six tackles, five solo, a fumble recovery, and a third down tackle for loss that resulted a safety that cut the Hawai’i lead to 10-9 and completed a momentum swing over to Colorado in their 31-13 win.
About the Jim Thorpe Award:
The Jim 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 candidates for the award are selected by a “screening committee” of Jim Thorpe Association members who follow several players throughout the season, watching games and researching information sources to grade Thorpe Award candidates on the basis of performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The committee then narrows the field three finalists and the names of these finalists are submitted to a national panel of about 50 sports writers, sportscasters, coaches and former players who vote to determine the winner.
The presentation of Jim Thorpe Award will be featured on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards live on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. The show, hosted by ESPN’s Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.
Each week, the Jim Thorpe award will announce a winner after candidates are issued by the school, the conference and distinguished committee members. The weekly winner will be announced every Thursday at www.jimthorpeassoc.org
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Jim Thorpe, Outland, Nagurski, etc. He is also a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards.