Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Stephen J. Carrera
Igwebuike Named to Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
7/14/2017 9:00:00 AM | Football
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern senior safety Godwin Igwebuike has been named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. It is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled not only as a running back, passer, and kicker on the offensive side of the ball; but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The nomination caps an impressive week for the senior safety as he also earned recognition from the Chuck Bednarik Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Award watch lists.
Igwebuike has started the last 26 games at safety and will enter 2017 as the leader of the Wildcats' defense. He led Chicago's Big Ten Team with 108 tackles, including 78 solo stops, last season, while ranking ninth in the country with 6.0 solo tackles per game. He is second among active FBS defensive backs with 163 career solo tackles. A native of Pickerington, Ohio, Igwebuike was voted Second-Team All-Big Ten by the conference's coaches last season.
The initial watch list includes 45 defensive backs from 10 FBS Division I conferences, including five student-athletes from the Big Ten. Other Big Ten nominees include Marcus Allen (Penn State), Rashard Fant (Indiana), Chris Jones (Nebraska) and Denzel Ward (Ohio State).
NORTHWESTERN WATCH LIST TRACKER
Senior safety Godwin Igwebuike — Bednarik Trophy, Nagurski Award, Thorpe Award
Senior running back Justin Jackson — Maxwell Award, AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Senior center Brad North — Rimington Trophy
Junior quarterback Clayton Thorson — Maxwell Award
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. It is awarded to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled not only as a running back, passer, and kicker on the offensive side of the ball; but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.
The nomination caps an impressive week for the senior safety as he also earned recognition from the Chuck Bednarik Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Award watch lists.
Igwebuike has started the last 26 games at safety and will enter 2017 as the leader of the Wildcats' defense. He led Chicago's Big Ten Team with 108 tackles, including 78 solo stops, last season, while ranking ninth in the country with 6.0 solo tackles per game. He is second among active FBS defensive backs with 163 career solo tackles. A native of Pickerington, Ohio, Igwebuike was voted Second-Team All-Big Ten by the conference's coaches last season.
The initial watch list includes 45 defensive backs from 10 FBS Division I conferences, including five student-athletes from the Big Ten. Other Big Ten nominees include Marcus Allen (Penn State), Rashard Fant (Indiana), Chris Jones (Nebraska) and Denzel Ward (Ohio State).
NORTHWESTERN WATCH LIST TRACKER
Senior safety Godwin Igwebuike — Bednarik Trophy, Nagurski Award, Thorpe Award
Senior running back Justin Jackson — Maxwell Award, AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Senior center Brad North — Rimington Trophy
Junior quarterback Clayton Thorson — Maxwell Award
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compiles a list of 30-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 7, 2017, on ESPN.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in Oklahoma.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 23 awards now boast over over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in Oklahoma.
The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 23 awards now boast over over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.
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