Florida's Matt Elam Named to 2011 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Monday, July 11, 2011 | Football
University of Florida safety Matt Elam (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) has been named to the 2011 Jim Thorpe Award watch list, announced today by the National College Football Awards Association.
Elam, a 5-10, 205-pound sophomore, was one of six true freshmen to play in all 13 games in 2010. He totaled 22 tackles (16 solo) as the top backup in the secondary and on special teams' duty. He recorded a career-high five tackles and one quarterback sack on the road at Alabama last season. Elam enrolled at UF in January of 2010.
The Jim Thorpe Award is given annually to the top defensive back in college football. The pre-season watch list is compiled by the Jim Thorpe Awards committee and consists of 37 players from around the country. The winner will be announced on December 8 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN at 9 p.m. EST. A presentation banquet will be held February 7, 2012 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
Former Gator cornerback Joe Haden was the last player from UF to be named a finalist after he was selected in 2009. Safety Lawrence Wright was the 1996 recipient and is the only Florida player to win the award.
