The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Babers tabbed Thorpe Award semifinalist
11.06.2002 | Football
ORLANDO, Fla. -- University of Texas senior cornerback Rod Babers (Houston, Texas) has been selected as one of 14 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which honors the nation's outstanding defensive back, the Jim Thorpe Association announced on Wednesday. Babers' selection marks the second consecutive year that the Longhorns have featured a semifinalist for the prestigious national honor. CB Quentin Jammer became Texas' first-ever Thorpe Award finalist last season.
Babers, who returned an interception 73 yards for a score against No. 2 Oklahoma, has posted a team-high 16 pass breakups (T-No. 10 on UT's single-season list) this season. He also has recorded 31 tackles (24 solo), a sack, three TFLs, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2002. Babers' fourth-quarter interception halted an Oklahoma State drive in UT territory to secure a 17-15 Longhorns win earlier in the year and he also blocked a field goal in Texas' 27-24 win at Nebraska. Babers, who has returned three of his five career interceptions for touchdowns, ranks fourth on UT's career pass breakups list (44).
The 5-foot-10, 187-pounder is a key member of a Longhorns defense that ranks third nationally in pass defense (129.4 ypg), fourth in pass efficiency defense (80.9 rating), eighth in scoring defense (14.4 ppg) and ninth in total defense (276.6 ypg). UT also has limited opponents to a NCAA-low 43.3 completion percentage (106-of-245) and its 4.76 yards per pass attempt allowed is the third-lowest in the country.
Three Thorpe Award finalists will be selected on Nov. 25. The winner will be announced on ESPN's College Football Awards Show, broadcast from Disney World on Dec. 12. Formal presentation of the award will be in Oklahoma City, at the annual Jim Thorpe Awards ceremonies, Feb. 11, 2003.
The Thorpe Award has been presented since 1986 and is based on the winner's performance on the field, athletic ability and character. Voted the 20th century's greatest athlete in a poll by ABC's Wide World of Sports, Jim Thorpe was a two-time All American running back and defensive back, the winner of decathlon and pentathlon gold medals in the 1912 Olympics and a standout in both professional football and baseball. He was the first president of what became the National Football League.
For more information on the Thorpe Award, contact Lynne Draper at the Jim Thorpe Association (405/495-4880).
2002 Thorpe Award semifinalists
Rod Babers, SR., TEXAS
Sammy Davis, Sr., Texas A&M
Mike Doss, Sr., Ohio State
Brandon Everage, Jr., Oklahoma
Terrance Holt, Sr., North Carolina State
Terence Newman, Sr., Kansas State
Willie Pile, Sr., Virgina Tech
Troy Polamalu, Sr., USC
Etric Pruitt, Jr., Southern Mississippi
Stuart Schweigert, Jr., Purdue
Derrick Strait, Jr., Oklahoma
Shane Walton, Sr., Notre Dame
Dennis Weathersby, Sr., Oregon State
Eugene Wilson, Sr., Illinois
