Nov. 4, 2003
LAS VEGAS - UNLV strong safety Jamaal Brimmer is his school's first-ever semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, the organization announced late Tuesday.
The junior from Las Vegas is one of 12 players from across the nation still alive to win the honor that goes annually to the nation's best defensive back.
Brimmer, who is vying for his second consecutive Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year award, leads the league and is tied for 12th nationally with five interceptions (.56 per game). He has 54 total tackles, including eight for loss, three quarterback sacks, three fumbles forced, three fumbles recovered and two defensive touchdowns.
Brimmer received numerous honors as national player of the week after turning in a career-best performance in UNLV's Sept. 13 upset of Big Ten Conference power Wisconsin. The graduate of Durango High School is also a member of the Watch List for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. He was a second-team preseason All-America selection this summer by Athlon, Phil Steele's and College Football News.
Former Rebel All-American cornerback Kevin Thomas was named to the Thorpe Watch List in 2001 but was not a semifinalist.
Three finalists will be selected on November 25. The winner will be announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show, broadcast live from Disney World, on December 11. Formal presentation of the award will be in Oklahoma City at the annual Jim Thorpe Awards ceremonies, Feb. 9, 2004.
The Thorpe Award has been presented since 1986, based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. A nationwide panel of former coaches, players and sportswriters and sportscasters will select the winner.
Voted the 20th century's greatest athlete in a poll by ABC's Wide World of Sports, Jim Thorpe was a two-time All-American running back and defensive back, the winner of decathlon and pentathlon gold medals in the 1912 Olympics and a standout in both professional football and baseball.
Last year's winner was Terence Newman of Kansas State. Colorado State's Greg Meyers won the award in 1995.
2003 JIM THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Jamaal Brimmer, UNLV, S, Jr.Josh Bullocks, Nebraska, S, Soph.James Butler, Georgia Tech, S, Jr.Jason David, Washington St. C, Sr.DeAngelo Hall, Virginia Tech, C, Jr.Keiwan Ratliff, Florida, C, Sr.Stuart Schweigert, Purdue, S, Sr.Derrick Strait, Oklahoma, C, Sr.Sean Taylor,Miami (Fla), S, Sr.Mark Walker, TCU, S, Jr.Corey Webster, LSU, C, Sr.Darrent Williams, OSU, C, Jr.
