Alabama Football: Minkah Fitzpatrick Named Thorpe Semifinalist

The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back.

Alabama football defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was named to the list of 16 semifinalists Monday for the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame announced. The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back.

Fitzpatrick is in the midst of a breakout season in 2016, as he leads the Crimson Tide in interceptions (3), pass break-ups (5) and sacks (1.5). In arguably the best game of his career, Fitzpatrick intercepted three passes against Arkansas on Oct. 8, returning one a school-record 100 yards for a touchdown, to go with five tackles and two pass break-ups.

He now has three career interception returns for touchdowns, tying him for the Alabama football career lead. Through eight games this season, Fitzpatrick has recorded 36 tackles, two tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions, five pass break-ups and forced one fumble.

The Jim Thorpe Award is named after one of history’s greatest athletes, Jim Thorpe, and is presented by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association in Oklahoma City. Thorpe excelled at every sport in which he competed, including football at which he played on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

The three Thorpe Award finalists will be named on Monday, Nov. 21 and the winner will be announced at the live Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 8 on ESPN. The winner of the 2016 Thorpe Award will be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 7, 2017.

Fitzpatrick and the No. 1 Alabama football team will be off this weekend before returning to action Nov. 5 at No. 19 LSU. Game time and television information has not yet been finalized.