Allen Named Semifinalist for Thorpe Award

Georgia junior cornerback Asher Allen has been named one of 13 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, according to an announcement by the Jim Thorpe Association.

Allen is one of four players from the Southeastern Conference still vying for the award given to the nation s best collegiate defensive back.

Allen, a 5-10, 190-pound native of Tucker, Ga., is fourth on the Bulldog defense with 34 tackles and leads the team with seven pass break-ups. He also has 3.5 tackles for loss and one recovered fumble nine games into the 2008 season.

The award, named after Oklahoma born Native American sports legend Jim Thorpe, is presented annually to the defensive back who best exhibits performance on the field, athletic ability and character. The semifinalist list will be narrowed to three finalists on Monday, Nov. 24, and the winner will be announced on the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, broadcast nationally on Thursday, Dec. 11. Formal presentation will be at a banquet in Oklahoma City, Monday, Feb. 11, 2009.

Thorpe is generally considered history s greatest all-around athlete, a man who excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on offense, but also an outstanding defensive back. Recognized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame simply as The Legend , Thorpe also played professional baseball and won gold medals in the 1912 Olympics decathlon and pentathlon.

The 2008 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists:
Asher Allen, Jr., Georgia
Eric Berry, So., Tennessee
Emanuel Cook, Jr., So. Carolina
Vontae Davis, Jr., Illinois
Trimane Goddard, Sr., N. Carolina
Malcolm Jenkins, Sr., Ohio State
Trevard Lindley, Jr., Kentucky
Taylor Mays, Jr., USC
Mike Mickens, Sr., Cincinnati
D. J. Moore, Jr., Vanderbilt
William Moore, Sr., Missouri
Alphonso Smith, Sr., Wake Forest
Otis Wiley, Sr., Michigan State