Denzel Ward Named to Thorpe Award Watch List
7/14/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 14, 2017
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State junior cornerback Denzel Ward has been named to the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, established in 1986 and presented to the outstanding defensive back in college football.
This is the second preseason watch list for Ward. The Macedonia, Ohio, native was previously selected to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, which is presented to the top defensive player in the country.
Ward did not start a game in 2016, but he lined up on defense for 468 plays as part of a three-man cornerback rotation that also featured two 2017 first-round NFL Draft picks: Marshon Lattimore (No. 11 to New Orleans) and Gareon Conley (No. 24 to Oakland). Named honorable mention all-Big Ten, Ward tied for the team lead with Lattimore with nine pass break-ups last season.
2017 Ohio State Football Preseason Honors
Jim Thorpe Award
Watch List
• CB Denzel Ward
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Watch List
• LB Jerome Baker
• DE Nick Bosa
• DE Sam Hubbard
• DE Tyquan Lewis
Outland Trophy
Watch List
• OT Jamarco Jones
• C Billy Price
Rimington Trophy
Watch List
• C Billy Price
John Mackey Award
Watch List
• TE Marcus Baugh
Maxwell Award
Watch List
• QB J.T. Barrett
• RB Mike Weber
Bednarik Award
Watch List
• LB Jerome Baker
• DE Nick Bosa
• DE Tyquan Lewis
• CB Denzel Ward
Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
Nominee
• QB J.T. Barrett
