Nov. 4, 2009
STILLWATER, Okla. - Oklahoma State senior cornerback Perrish Cox is one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, it was announced. The Thorpe Award is presented to the nation's top college defensive back. A first-team midseason All-American by SI.com, Cox leads the nation with 1.86 passes defended per game. Matching up against the opposition's top wide receiver on a weekly basis, Cox has proven himself to be one of the top corners in America. He limited Georgia's A.J. Green to only four catches for 52 yards and no touchdowns in the Cowboys' season-opening win over the Bulldogs. Additionally, he held Texas' Jordan Shipley well below his season averages by limiting the Longhorn star to six catches for 64 yards and no touchdowns. Shipley entered the game averaging 102 receiving yards per contest. Also one of the top return men in the country, Cox is the Big 12's all-time leader in kick return yards. He was the Big 12 special teams player of the week earlier this year after a game-changing 74-yard kick return against Georgia. He is one of four Cowboys so far this season to make the semifinalist list for major awards, joining OL Russell Okung (Rotary Lombardi Award), QB Zac Robinson (Davey O'Brien Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award) and P Quinn Sharp (Ray Guy Award). The Thorpe Award list will be narrowed again on November 23, to three finalists who will be invited to the nationally telecast Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show on December 10. The winner will be announced on the show and the official presentation will be at a formal banquet in Oklahoma City on February 9, 2010. Jim Thorpe Award winners are selected for performance on the field, athletic ability and character.
2009 Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalists Javier Arenas, Sr., Alabama Eric Berry, Jr., Tennessee Barry Church, Sr., Toledo Perrish Cox, Sr., Oklahoma State Joe Haden, Jr., Florida Brandon Harris, So., Miami (FL) Taylor Mays, Sr., USC Tyler Sash, So., Iowa Darrell Stuckey, Sr., Kansas Earl Thomas, So., Texas Alterraun Verner, Sr., UCLA Kyle Wilson, Sr., Boise State |