Ohio State Buckeyes' Denzel Burke Named Semifinalist For Jim Thorpe Award

Denzel Burke has been a lockdown corner for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ohio State's list of top defensive backs just got longer.

Buckeyes' junior cornerback Denzel Burke was named to the Jim Thorpe Award semifinal watch list, according to a press release from the Department of Athletics Wednesday.

The award goes to the top defensive back in the country. Ohio State's last Thorpe Award winner was two-time Super Bowl champion and consensus All-American Malcolm Jenkins.

The Buckeyes are known for producing some of the best professional players from the secondary, including Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, Rams safety Jordan Fuller, and Jenkins.

Burke has helped Ohio State form one of the best secondaries in the country, holding opposing offenses to just 160.3 passing yards per game — good for No. 5 nationally.

Although Burke had one of the statistically worst seasons last year, he has returned to his 2021 self and regained status as a lockdown cornerback — he was only targeted once against a top-50 defense in Notre Dame on Sept. 23.

In addition, Burke has posted a conference-leading nine pass breakups — good for 10th in the country — to go along with an interception. 

The Phoenix native was named to the Associated Press Midseason All-America Second Team on Oct. 18 after an impressive start to the season. He's currently projected to be a late-first/early-second rounder in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The 14 other semifinalists included Iowa's Cooper DeJean, Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry and Colorado's Travis Hunter.

Burke and Ohio State will face junior cornerback Robert Longerbeam and Rutgers on Saturday in what could be a defensive battle, as both teams hold top-five passing offenses nationally.