Two SEC Players Named Finalist For The Thorpe Award

by Staff Reporter

November 20, 20180 Comments

LSU's Greedy Williams and Georgia's DeAndre Baker were named two of three finalists for the 2018 Jim Thorpe Award, which is awarded to the best defensive back in college football.

The other finalist for the award was Notre Dame's Julian Love.

quote:
DeAndre Baker, University of Georgia, Cornerback, Sr.
2018: Has Started all 11 games thus far with 36 total stops, 2 interceptions (team high), 9 pass breakups (team high), 1 tackle for lost yardage, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (nation's top defender). Baker's first interception came on first series of South Carolina game. His second pick, and seventh of his career, came in the first quarter vs. MTSU. His season high in tackles (7) came at Missouri. Baker also had 6 stops at South Carolina, 4 solo tackles and a pass breakup vs. Auburn and was listed on the pre-season All-America 1st Team by Associated Press.

Greedy Williams, Louisiana State University, Cornerback, So.
2018: Williams has started all 11 games at cornerback (as of 11/17/18), helping an LSU team that leads the SEC and ranks No. 2 in the nation with interceptions (16). LSU's defense has 22 total takeaways, tops in the league. Williams has recorded 31 tackles, 2 interceptions and 8 pass breakups. He recorded a career best 10 tackles in win over Ole Miss. He intercepted passes in back-to-back games against Southeastern Louisiana and Auburn. Williams tied his career-high with 3 pass breakups in win over Arkansas. He had 4 tackles and 1 pass breakup in 36-16 win over then-No. 2 Georgia.

The winner of the Thorpe Award will be announced live at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 6th, airing on ESPN.