Troy Nolan named to Jim Thorpe Award watch list

Arizona State University senior safety Troy Nolan has been named to the Watch List for the 2008 Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation's best defensive back.

Nolan had an impressive debut season for ASU in 2007, earning Second-Team All-Pacific-10 Conference honors. He led the team with six interceptions and tied a school-record by returning two for touchdowns, while also recording 64 tackles and seven pass break-ups. Nolan has also been named to the Watch List for the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Award and Lott Trophy.

The Thorpe Award "watch list" is determined by analysis of the pre-season All-American teams listed in at least six pre-season college football annual magazines. Four points are awarded for First Team, three points for second team, two points for third and one point for fourth teams and honorable mentions. This procedure determines approximately 40 players on the pre-season watch list. This list is not final and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses.

A "Screening Committee" of Jim Thorpe Association members will select the semifinalists for the Thorpe Award in early November, and the three finalists will be named on the Monday before Thanksgiving. The names of these finalists are submitted to a national panel of about 50 sports writers, sportscasters, coaches and former players who vote to determine the winner.

The three finalists are invited to the ESPN College Football Awards Show in December, and the winner is announced during the show. Formal presentation of the Jim Thorpe Award takes place at ceremonies in Oklahoma City on the first Tuesday in February following the national signing date for college football recruits.