Jim Thorpe Award Watch List: Ranking the Top 10 Candidates

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There are many great defensive backs in college football. Some are known for their ferocious hits, while others are ball hawks and wait for the opposing quarterback to make a boneheaded pass. Either way, a great cornerback or safety is fun to watch.

The watch-list for the Jim Thorpe Award has just been released and includes the best of the best defensive backs in the country. This award will be given to one of those players at the end of the season. The award was first introduced back in 1986 and is named after sports legend Jim Thorpe.

While we could make an argument for why many of these players will win the award, here are just the top 10 candidates for the 2012 Jim Thorpe Award.

10. Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma

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Oklahoma was very shaky on the defensive side of the ball in 2011, but Tony Jefferson came to play. He led the team with four interceptions and added 4.5 sacks and 74 tackles to go with it.

He is a versatile player who is capable of helping in many different ways on the football field. Jefferson was an honorable mention All-Big 12 in 2011. 

9. Nigel Malone, Kansas State

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Nigel Malone was a junior college transfer, who quickly made his impact on this surprising Kansas State team last year. He totaled seven interceptions, 58 tackles and defended 10 more passes.

He received third-team All-America honors and will likely have another productive season with a full year under his belt. 

8. Johnthan Banks, Mississippi State

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Johnathan Banks has a future in the NFL and could very well be a first-round pick in next year's draft, especially if he has a season like he had last year. He is a preseason All-SEC, who finished his junior year with 71 tackles, five interceptions, three sacks and nine broken up passes.

He has 12 career interceptions and would like to break the Bulldogs' single-season record of 16. 

7. Kyle Fuller, Virginia Tech

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Virginia Tech has been known for its defense and Kyle Fuller is that player who can play multiple positions. He did a little bit of everything for this Hokies team last year, racking up 65 tackles, 4.5 sacks, breaking up seven passes and totaling 14.5 tackles for loss.

Fuller was a second-team All-ACC selection and should have an even bigger season in 2012. 

6. Eric Reid, LSU

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While Tyrann Mathieu may get most of the attention in the secondary, safety Eric Reid isn't that bad either. He was tied with Mathieu for the most tackles on the team with 76, and also intercepted two passes.

Reid is the leader of this defense and was a second-team All-SEC selection last season.

5. Kenny Vaccaro, Texas

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Kenny Vaccaro is one of several Texas defensive players that are eligible for an award. He started every game at safety for the Longhorns last season and was chosen to the All-Big 12 first team.

He finished the season with 71 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and eight passes broken up. He is an exciting player to watch and covers a ton of ground in the defensive backfield.

4. T.J. McDonald, USC

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T.J. McDonald is one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the country and an impact player on and off the field. He was a semifinalist for both the Jim Thorpe Award last season, along with the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

He finished the year with 67 tackles and three interceptions, and was a first-team Pac-12 and a first-team All-American. 

3. Bacarri Rambo, Georgia

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Bacarri Rambo will have his work cut out for him if he expects to win this award because he will be suspended for a couple of games to start the year.

Still, this is a playmaking safety, who finished the 2011 season with eight interceptions, 55 tackles and eight passes broken up. He is a first-team All-American and will be a huge part to this Georgia success if the Bulldogs hope to compete for an SEC title.

2. David Amerson, NC State

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David Amerson was only a sophomore last year, but had a season for the record books. He led the country with 13 interceptions, which also broke an ACC record. There were only four games all season where he didn't intercept at least one pass.

He is a matchup nightmare at cornerback with his 6'3" size and great hands. Look for him to have another huge year for North Carolina State. 

1. Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

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If the award involves a defensive player, there is no reason to believe that Tyrann Mathieu won't be the favorite. He was tied with the most tackles on this team last year, returned fumbles for touchdowns, intercepted passes and was a game changer on special teams.

The Honey Badger has gotten everybody's attention, now he must continue his productive play in 2012.

An LSU Tiger has won the Jim Thorpe Award the last two seasons.