Nov. 4, 2008

USC junior safety Taylor Mays has been named one of 13 semifinalists for the 2008 Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the nation's best college football defensive back.

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 Nov. 24, and the winner will be announced on the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, broadcast nationally on Dec. 11. Formal presentation will be at a banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 11, 2009.

Mays, a 2007 All-American first teamer, is starting for his third season at free safety. He currently has 36 tackles, including 2 for losses, and 3 deflections.

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