Vernon Hargreaves III Named a Finalist for 2015 Jim Thorpe Award
Tuesday, November 24, 2015 | Football
OKLAHOMA CITY—University of Florida junior cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III was named one of three finalists for the 2015 Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced today. The award is given annually to the top defensive back in college football.
Hargreaves leads one of the nation's top pass defenses, a unit that ranks 10th in passing yards allowed per game (173.5) and limits opposing quarterbacks to a 102.23 rating (eighth nationally). In addition, teams only average 5.60 yards per pass attempt against the Gators, a figure that ranks seventh in the country.
Individually, Hargreaves has totaled four interceptions (tied for third in the SEC) and has 152 interception return yards. Hargreaves was named First Team All-America as a sophomore and First Team All-SEC as both a sophomore and freshman.
Duke safety Jeremy Cash and Iowa cornerback Desmond King are the other two finalists for the award.
The Thorpe Award is named after one of history's greatest athletes, Jim Thorpe, and is presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City. Thorpe excelled at every sport in which he competed, including football where he played on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
This year's Jim Thorpe Award winner will be revealed on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing live from The College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 7:00 p.m. (ET).
The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2016 in Oklahoma City, OK at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Ticket and sponsorship questions should be directed to the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame at 405.427.1400.
The Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 22 awards boast over 700 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
