June 27, 2003

LAS VEGAS - UNLV defensive back Jamaal Brimmer was named Friday to the 2003 watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is awarded annually to the nation's top college defensive back.

All 37 players on the list have been named as candidates for All-America honors by at least one preseason publication. Brimmer, who is the unanimous preseason Mountain West Conference defensive MVP in this year's preview magazines, was also named preseason second-team All-America by Athlon and Phil Steele's. Brimmer already was named to the watch list for the 2003 Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

Brimmer, who will be a junior this fall, is a 6-1, 205-pound graduate of Durango High School in Las Vegas. The strong safety was the 2002 MWC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league in tackles for loss with 17, totaling 100 tackles overall and pacing his team with 5.5 quarterback sacks, one of which forced a fumble that Brimmer recovered and took in for a game-clinching touchdown at BYU. He also led his team with six pass breakups and three forced fumbles overall.

A screening committee will narrow the Thorpe field to 10 semifinalists, which will be announced the first week in November. That list will be will be submitted to a national selection committee consisting of coaches, journalists and former players. Three finalists will be invited to ESPN's College Football Awards Show at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., where the winner will be announced December 11. A formal presentation will take place at a banquet on February 9 in Oklahoma City, which is home to the Jim Thorpe Association.

Last year's winner was Terence Newman of Kansas State. Greg Myers of Colorado State, who took home the trophy in 1995, remains the only winner from a Mountain West school. Former UNLV All-American cornerback Kevin Thomas was the last Rebel to earn a spot on the Thorpe List, appearing in both 2000 and 2001.