Prewitt named to Thorpe Award watch list

Ole Miss standout Cody Prewitt continues to garner preseason awards. The Rebel safety was named to the prestigious 2014 Jim Thorpe Award watch list released this past Friday.

The award is given annually to the nation’s best defensive back, and the winner–selected from three finalist—will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards in December.

It is quite an honor for Prewitt to be named to the Thorpe Award watch list, as Jim Thorpe is still considered one of the greatest athletes in history. He played numerous positions on the gridiron, including running back, kicker, and defensive back. He played pro baseball, won gold medals in the 1912 Olympics in the decathlon and pentathlon, and was named president of the National Football League in 1920.

Of Thorpe, the National Football League Hall of Fame website says:

He could run with speed as well as bruising power. He could pass and catch passes with the best, punt long distances and kick field goals either by dropkick or placekick. Often he would demonstrate his kicking prowess during halftimes by placekicking field goals from the 50-yard line, then turning and dropkicking through the opposite goal post. He blocked with authority and, on defense, was a bone-jarring tackler.

Prewitt was also recently named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list and the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, each of which honors the nation’s best defensive player.

The Bay Springs, Mississippi native had a breakout season for the Rebels last year and was rewarded by earning first team All-American honors. He notched six interceptions which was good enough for first in the SEC and among the best in the nation.

Click here to see the entire list of those named to the Thorpe Award watch list.