Texas Tech University Athletics
Coleman Named Semifinalist for Jim Thorpe Award
October 21, 2019 | Football
Texas Tech senior leads the FBS with six interceptions already this season
LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech senior defensive back Douglas Coleman III was named a semifinalist Monday for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top defensive back.
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Coleman was not a preseason candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award but quickly gained the attention of voters with his FBS-leading six interceptions already this season. He was added as one of two Big 12 players among the 14 semifinalists, joining Oklahoma State's AJ Green.
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Coleman, who was a Midseason All-America first team honoree a week ago by the likes of the Associated Press, ESPN, The Athletic and the Sporting News, has three times as many interceptions as any other Big 12 player this season and two more than any other defensive back from a power-five conference.
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The Louisiana native picked off a pair of passes against both Arizona and Oklahoma State and padded his total with an interception at Oklahoma and Baylor as well. Luq Barcoo of San Diego State and Amik Robertson of Louisiana Tech, both semifinalists for the award as well, trail Coleman for the FBS lead with five interceptions, respectively.
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In addition to his role in the passing game, Coleman ranks second on the team with 41 tackles and has notched a pair of pass breakups for a Tech defense that is currently on pace to allow its fewest points per game since 2009. He has started in all seven games from his spot at safety this season.
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The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame will name three finalists for the award late in the season ahead of the official unveiling of the 2019 Jim Thorpe Award winner on Dec. 12 during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
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Coleman and the Red Raiders return to action Saturday night when Tech travels to Kansas for a 6 p.m. kickoff from David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence. Coverage will be provided nationally on FOX Sports 1 and the Texas Tech Sports Network.
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2019 JIM THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Luq Barcoo, San Diego State, Sr.
Essang Bassey, Wake Forest, Sr.
Douglas Coleman III, Texas Tech, Sr.
Grant Delpit, LSU, Jr.
Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame, Sr.
AJ Green, Oklahoma State, Sr. *Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Fan Vote Winner*
CJ Henderson, Florida, Jr.
Jevon Holland, Oregon, So.
Xavier McKinney, Alabama, Jr.
Tanner Muse, Clemson, *Gr.
Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State, Jr.
JR Reed, Georgia, Sr.
Elijah Riley, Army, Sr.
Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
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By Conference
ACC (2), BIG 10 (1), BIG 12 (2), C-USA (1), IND (2), MW (1), PAC-12 (1), SEC (4)
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Coleman was not a preseason candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award but quickly gained the attention of voters with his FBS-leading six interceptions already this season. He was added as one of two Big 12 players among the 14 semifinalists, joining Oklahoma State's AJ Green.
Â
Coleman, who was a Midseason All-America first team honoree a week ago by the likes of the Associated Press, ESPN, The Athletic and the Sporting News, has three times as many interceptions as any other Big 12 player this season and two more than any other defensive back from a power-five conference.
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The Louisiana native picked off a pair of passes against both Arizona and Oklahoma State and padded his total with an interception at Oklahoma and Baylor as well. Luq Barcoo of San Diego State and Amik Robertson of Louisiana Tech, both semifinalists for the award as well, trail Coleman for the FBS lead with five interceptions, respectively.
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In addition to his role in the passing game, Coleman ranks second on the team with 41 tackles and has notched a pair of pass breakups for a Tech defense that is currently on pace to allow its fewest points per game since 2009. He has started in all seven games from his spot at safety this season.
Â
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame will name three finalists for the award late in the season ahead of the official unveiling of the 2019 Jim Thorpe Award winner on Dec. 12 during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
Â
Coleman and the Red Raiders return to action Saturday night when Tech travels to Kansas for a 6 p.m. kickoff from David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence. Coverage will be provided nationally on FOX Sports 1 and the Texas Tech Sports Network.
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2019 JIM THORPE AWARD SEMIFINALISTS
Luq Barcoo, San Diego State, Sr.
Essang Bassey, Wake Forest, Sr.
Douglas Coleman III, Texas Tech, Sr.
Grant Delpit, LSU, Jr.
Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame, Sr.
AJ Green, Oklahoma State, Sr. *Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Fan Vote Winner*
CJ Henderson, Florida, Jr.
Jevon Holland, Oregon, So.
Xavier McKinney, Alabama, Jr.
Tanner Muse, Clemson, *Gr.
Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State, Jr.
JR Reed, Georgia, Sr.
Elijah Riley, Army, Sr.
Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech, Jr.
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By Conference
ACC (2), BIG 10 (1), BIG 12 (2), C-USA (1), IND (2), MW (1), PAC-12 (1), SEC (4)
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Players Mentioned
DB
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