Alabama safety Xavier McKinney named Thorpe Award semifinalist

Junior one of 14 players up for award for college football's best defensive back

Alabama Athletics

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama junior safety Xavier McKinney was named a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, for best defensive back in college football, on Monday.

Through seven games he leads the Crimson Tide in tackles with 53, to go with an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery. Against Tennessee on Saturday he was credited with six tackles, not including the hit that led to teammate Jared Mayden’s interception in the first quarter.

"He's a hard worker, he is always up here, he is here after practice, he always gets extra," senior cornerback Trevon Diggs recently said. "He's just an all around, sound football player."

The 13 other semifinalists are San Diego State’s Luq Barcoo, Wake Forest’s Essang Bassey, Texas Tech’s Douglas Coleman III, LSU’s Grant Delpit, Notre Dame’s Alohi Gilman, Oklahoma State’s AJ Green, Florida’s CJ Henderson, Oregon nickel Jevon Holland, Clemson’s Tanner Muse, Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah, Georgia’s JR Reed, Army’s Elijah Riley, and Louisiana Teach’s Amik Robertso,

The three finalists for the 2019 Jim Thorpe Award will be named next month. Alabama has had two Thorpe winners, Antonio Langham in 1993, and Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2017.

Alabama awards rundown

Thorpe Award (best defensive back): Xavier McKinney named semifinalist.

Maxwell Award (most outstanding player): Najee Harris, Jerry Jeudy and Tua Tagovailoa named to watch list. Semifinalists named Oct. 29.

Bednarik Award (best defensive player): Raekown Davis, Dylan Moses named to watch list. Semifinalists named Oct. 29.

Davey O'Brien Award (top quarterback): Tua Tagovailoa named to watch list. Semifinalists named Nov. 13.

Doak Walker Award (premier running back): Najee Harris named to watch list. Semifinalists named Nov. 20.

Biletnikoff Award (best receiver): Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle named to watch list. DeVonta Smith added to watch list. Semifinalists named Nov. 18.

Mackey Award (top tight end): Miller Forristall named to watch list. Semifinals named Nov. 18.

Butkus Award (outstanding linebacker): Anfernee Jennings, Terrell Lewis and Dylan Moses named to watch list. Semifinalists named Oct. 29.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player): Raekwon Davis, Trevon Diggs, Anfernee Jennings and Dylan Moses named to watch list. Semifinalists named Nov. 14.

Outland Trophy (top interior lineman): Alex Leatherwood and Jedrick Wills Jr. named to watch list. Semifinals named Nov. 14.

Wuerffel Trophy (community service): Chris Owens named to the watch list.

Walter Camp Award (player of the year): Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy, Najee Harris and Dylan Moses named to watch list. Semifinalists named Nov. 14.

Ted Hendricks Award (best defensive end): Raekwon Davis named to watch list. Semifinalists named in late November.

Manning Award (best quarterback, includes postseason): Tua Tagovailoa named to watch list. Finalists will be named Nov. 28.

Lott Impact Player (defensive impact player of the year): Dylan Moses on watch list. Semifinalists named in late November.

Polynesian College Player of the Year: Tua Tagovailoa on watch list. Finalists named Dec. 5.

Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year: Nick Saban named to the midseason watch list.

Awards no one on Crimson Tide is up for

Riminigton Award (best center)

Lou Groza Award (top kicker)

Ray Guy Award (best punter)

Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player)

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award (best senior quarterback)