OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Triston Wade was named one of 15 semifinalists for this year's Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced on Monday morning. The award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive back.
The senior safety leads UTSA with 57 tackles (32 solos/25 assists), nine pass breakups, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries through the season's first eight contests. He is the first-ever Football Bowl Subdivision major award semifinalist in program history.
A two-year team captain, Wade has appeared in all 42 games (36 starts) during his career and is the Roadrunners' all-time leader in tackles (264), pass breakups (30), interceptions (11), forced fumbles (8) and fumble recoveries (6). In fact, the Tyler native has had a hand in a total of 20 turnovers (11 INTs/9 fumbles) in the first 42 outings of his career and started 35 consecutive games.
The Jim Thorpe Award is one of the most coveted awards in college football. It was established in 1986 and is named after history’s greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but he also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, he played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in both the decathlon and pentathlon.
The Thorpe Award semifinalists were chosen by a screening committee and this year's three finalists will be announced on Monday, Nov. 24. This season's winner will be unveiled on Thursday, Dec. 11, at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN. The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet then will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, in Oklahoma City. Click here for the complete list of previous winners.
UTSA will return to action next Saturday, Nov. 8, at Rice (4-3, 2-1 C-USA).
2014 Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists
Sam Carter, TCU
Jeremy Cash, Duke
Landon Collins, Alabama
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech
Senquez Golson, Mississippi
Josh Hawkins, East Carolina
Gerod Holliman, Louisville
Ronald Martin, LSU
Cody Prewitt, Mississippi
Jordan Richards, Stanford
Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma
Triston Wade, UTSA
Trae Waynes, Michigan State
PJ Williams, Florida State