Coby Bryant Named Finalist for Jim Thorpe Award

The senior cornerback came back for his last year of eligibility and it's paying off.

CINCINNATI — One Bearcats corner cracked the list of finalists for the 2021 Jim Thorpe Award, but not the one you might think of first.

Senior Coby Bryant joined Oregon's Vernon McKinley and Baylor's Jalen Pitre as 2021 finalists. Bryant is the first Bearcat ever to make the finalist cut for this honor.

Senior cornerback @CBryant2_ has been named one of just three finalists for the 2021 @jimthorpeaward, which is presented annually to college football's best defensive back.

🔗: https://t.co/U7aOkJeKTb#Bearcats pic.twitter.com/hz1FsXULZx

— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) November 23, 2021

On the season, Bryant has posted 34 tackles, three interceptions and 11 pass breakups. He has 14 passes defended (INTs + Break Ups) this season (fith nationally) and has amassed 45 passes defended in 50 career games. That ranks third among active players (Texas Tech's Demarcus Fields has 47, while Bowling Green's Devin Taylor has 56).

Bryant and his running mate on the opposite side—Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner—have been integral to UC's shutdown pass defense. The duo has helped UC land second nationally in opponent completion percentage (52.8%), passing yards allowed (155.5), and third in interceptions (16).

The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National Selection Committee announces the annual winner at the College Football Awards airing on ESPN Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. ET.

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