Three MAC Students Named to 2017 Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
THREE MAC STUDENTS NAMED TO 2017 JIM THORPE AWARD WATCH LIST
Oklahoma City—The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2017 watch list was announced today and includes 45 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing the MAC are Central Michigan senior Amari Coleman, Miami senior Heath Harding and Northern Illinois senior Shawun Lurry.
Coleman, 5-11 and 188 lbs., started all 12 games at cornerback and was named All-MAC First Team last season. A native of Flint, Mich., Coleman collected 48 tackles and two tackles for loss, led the MAC with 19 passes defensed and tied for the lead with four interceptions, including two for touchdowns.
Harding, 5-10 and 190 lbs., was named All-MAC First Team last season after starting all 13 games for Miami and finished the season with 67 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions and 11 pass breakups. A senior from Dayton, Ohio, Harding had a season-high nine tackles and an interception vs. Ohio and added eight tackles and three tackls for loss vs. Eastern Illinois last year.
Lurry, at 5-8 and 178 lbs., played in 10 games last season for the Huskies and collected 38 tackles, three interceptions and 14 passes defensed and was named All-MAC Second Team. A native of West Palm Beach, Fla., Lurry previously led FBS with nine interceptions in 2015 and was named All-American First Team by the Football Writers Association of America, All-American Second Team honors by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and All-American Third Team by the Associated Press.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. It is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history’s greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled not only as a running back, passer, and kicker on the offensive side of the ball; but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
Paycom Software, Inc. (“Paycom”) (NYSE:PAYC), a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, and the Jim Thorpe Museum and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) jointly announced in May of 2017 an exclusive sponsorship of the Jim Thorpe Award. As a result, the accolade will be named the “Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.”
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compiles a list of 30-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 7, 2017, on ESPN. The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in Oklahoma.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 23 awards now boast over over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
